Forsee Power, a specialist in smart battery systems for sustainable electromobility, has announced a collaboration with BAE Systems, a leading provider of heavy-duty electric powertrains. BAE Systems will integrate Forsee Power’s ZEN PLUS battery system into the powertrain of a Class 7 demonstration truck Gen3 in North America.
Forsee Power Group has established its North American headquarters and production facility in Columbus, Ohio, where the battery systems will be manufactured in compliance with Buy America regulations.
BAE Systems is renowned for its expertise in heavy-duty electric propulsion, offering zero-emission powertrains to vehicle manufacturers.Its solutions encompass a range of technologies, including 100% battery and hydrogen fuel cell propulsion, facilitating emissions-free operation in medium and heavy-duty vehicles. With over 25 years of innovation, BAE Systems’ Gen3 electric drive supports low- and zero-emission platforms across various applications, including transit buses, marine vessels, and military and industrial vehicles.
The selection of Forsee Power’s ZEN PLUS battery system by BAE Systems underscores the former’s commitment to providing advanced battery solutions for electric vehicles. Comprising three packs of the ZEN 77 PLUS, the Forsee Power battery system offers a total capacity of 231kWh, enabling an average range of 200 miles.
Forsee Power’s battery technologies cater to diverse operating modes of heavy electric vehicles, accommodating overnight charging, fast charging, and Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion. With partnerships with numerous bus manufacturers globally and a track record of equipping over 3,000 buses with its battery systems, Forsee Power is a leading provider of bus batteries outside of China. Additionally, the company is a significant player in the European market for batteries in heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles.
The ZEN PLUS batteries boast an impressive specific energy of 180Wh/kg, allowing vehicles to operate for extended periods without charging. Notably, the ZEN PLUS battery system is the first of its kind for commercial vehicles, available in multiple system voltages, facilitating seamless integration into various powertrain configurations without compromising mechanical compatibility.
“We are proud to collaborate with BAE Systems in the United States, with whom we share a common vision for sustainable, zero-emission transport. The electric truck market in the U.S. –and in the Americas in general– is the fastest growing in the world; from 3,000 units sold in 2022, it will grow to 70,000 in 2023. Class 7 trucks represent an ideal case for conversion to 100% battery powertrains. Our ZEN PLUS batteries will be manufactured in Columbus, Ohio from early 2024, where we will produce Buy America compliant battery systems to the commercial vehicle market,” explains Jay Deis, Vice President North America at Forsee Power.
