Volvo partners Samsung for developing electric truck batteries

Volvo Group and Samsung SDI have entered into a strategic alliance to develop battery packs for Volvo Group’s electric trucks. The alliance will cover joint development of battery packs specifically developed for Volvo Group’s truck applications. Samsung SDI plans to provide battery cells and modules to meet the demand for the Volvo Group’s electric trucks.

In association with Samsung SDI, Volvo Group aims to accelerate the speed of development and strengthen the long-term capabilities and assets within electromobility, to benefit customers in different truck segments and markets. The Volvo Group will utilise Samsung SDI’s battery pack technology for assembly in Volvo Group’s manufacturing operations. So, the agreement covers adaptations of the battery packs which will have optimised features for Volvo’s trucks only and the packs will be produced in its own plants only. Samsung SDI team members will be joining Volvo at its innovation hub, CampX in Lundby, Gothenburg, in close collaboration with Samsung SDI in South Korea and Austria.

Commenting on the partnership, Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO of the Volvo Group said, “The Volvo Group is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of commercial vehicles. With electromobility, the increasing needs for transport will be done in a cleaner and quieter way which opens up new possibilities for our customers and society as a whole. 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.”

Young-Hyun Jun, CEO Samsung SDI said, “Samsung SDI is truly privileged to enter into a strategic alliance with the Volvo Group. As we stand at the crosscurrents of the mobility and transportation industry, we are convinced that this alliance will provide superior offerings pertaining to energy, safety and sustainability to the commercial vehicle industry and beyond. We are confident that this alliance will secure the market leadership of the two companies in the long-term.”

Andrea Fuder, chief purchasing officer of the Volvo Group, commented: “We welcome the expertise Samsung SDI brings into the Volvo Group. With this collaboration we are well-positioned to meet the increased market demands. By utilising Samsung SDI’s strong battery technology knowledge, we have strengthened our powerful electromobility technology even further.”

Without revealing any financial details, Volvo Trucks has confirmed to Autocar Professional that the multi-year project will be a part of Volvo's R&D and will be benefitted by Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks and MACK Trucks to start with.

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