Volvo is to jointly develop lithium-ion battery packs for its commercial vehicles under a new partnership with Samsung SDI.
The Sweden-based vehicle manufacturer said the alliance with Samsung would help to “accelerate the speed of development and strengthen the long-term capabilities and assets within electromobility”.
Volvo, whose first battery assembly line is under construction at its manufacturing plant in Ghent, Belgium, did not specify where the packs would be developed. However, Volvo said its intention was that it would use Samsun’s battery pack technology “for assembly in Volvo Group’s manufacturing operations”.
Volvo Group president and CEO Martin Lundstedt (pictured) said: “The alliance with Samsung SDI is an important next step on our journey towards offering the world’s most truly sustainable transport system with fossil-free alternatives for our commercial vehicles.”
CEO of Samsung SDI Young-Hyun Jun said the partnership will “provide superior offerings pertaining to energy, safety and sustainability to the commercial vehicle industry and beyond”.
Samsung SDI is the latest Korean battery firm to sign a supply deal with Volvo, following agreements Volvo signed earlier this year to secure EV batteries for next-generation models including Polestar models from LG Chem and China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology.
