Freudenberg e-Power Systems (FEPS) and LG Energy Solution (LGES) have signed a multi-year contract to supply lithium-ion battery modules. This is Freudenberg’s response to increasing demand from its truck and bus customers in North America and Europe.
Freudenberg e-Power Systems has received type approval from the international classification society RINA for its methanol-powered fuel cell system for use in maritime applications. According to Freudenberg, this is a significant step towards making ocean shipping climate-neutral.
Freudenberg has launched the HyFleet research project with ZF Friedrichshafen and FlixBus. The partners want to develop a fuel cell drive system for long-distance buses by 2024. In addition to the three companies mentioned above, a “major European bus manufacturer” that has not been named is also participating in HyFleet.
The Canadian manufacturer MacLean Engineering wants to operate its heavy mining machines of the EV series and other equipment emission-free. The company is relying on technology from Xalt Energy and Freudenberg Battery Power Systems, both subsidiaries of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FTS).
Freudenberg is launching a strategic cooperation with the Lürssen shipyard. The aim is to develop fuel cell systems for mega-yachts, aiming to completely replace conventional generators on their jointly built ships.
XALT Energy is contributing the batteries for New Zealand’s first all-electric ferry. The 19-metre vessel with a capacity of 135 passengers will be part of the fleet of ferry operator East by West Wellington Harbour Ferry Service and will cover daily water routes in the bay off Wellington.
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies is expanding its testing capabilities for Li-ion batteries in the US. The company has installed a special isolation and containment chamber at its central laboratory in Plymouth, Michigan.
A group of 25 companies and organisations from the hydrogen sector have formed a consortium called ‘StasHH’ to develop and test a European standard for fuel cell modules for heavy-duty applications for the first time.
ABB Marine & Ports has selected XALT Energy to supply battery systems to power two hybrid ferries for the British ferry company P&O, which are expected to operate regularly on the English Channel between Dover in the UK and Calais in France from 2023.
In Germany, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has launched the development of a fuel cell system for trucks in the 40-ton weight class. The company is cooperating with commercial vehicle conversion company Quantron.
Technology specialist Freudenberg Sealing Technologies and one of the largest shipyards for the construction of cruise ships, Meyer Werft, plan to equip next-gen cruise ships with fuel cell propulsion. First trials are set for 2021.
The long-distance bus travel operator Flixbus and the technology specialist Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) intend to launch buses with fuel cells on the road in a joint project.
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has increased its stake in the US battery specialist XALT Energy from 31.8% to 50.1% and is now the majority shareholder of the Michigan-based company, which develops and produces lithium-ion technologies for the commercial vehicle industry.
To prevent that a single, damaged battery cell overheating the entire battery module, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has developed a heat shield that can be used in prismatic and pouch cells with almost no space impact.
German fuel cell consortium: AutoStack-Industrie is a 60m euro consortium made of BMW, Daimler, Ford, and VW to investigate high-volume production of fuel cell stacks. The private project receives public funds, with 21.3m euros coming from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) in the first year. Apart from carmakers, the BMW-led consortium also includes suppliers such as Umicore, ZSW or Powercell Sweden and together they aim to show results by 2020 in form of a prototype stack. The ultimate goal is automated assembly and a scalable production with a target capacity of 30,000 fuel cell stacks per year. greencarcongress.com, electrive.net (in German)
No more electrolyte for BASF as the firm sells its Suzhou facility to Capchem. BASF will shift its focus on cathodes and already announced to establish their production in Europe. greencarcongress.com
Profile-to-Gasket: Small scale producers may rejoice with Freudenberg Sealing Technologies’ novel seal for traction-battery housings. The patented ‘Profiles-to-Gasket’ or P2G concept was designed for annual production runs of up to 5,000 batteries of any geometry, the company said. fst.com
Electric rambler: TerraTrike launches its electric-assist recumbent trike. The Rambler E.V.O. (short for Electric Vehicle Option) uses a 750-watt rear-wheel motor made by Falco eMotors and is said to cover 60 miles on a charge. The e-bike will be available from next months for 2,999 dollars. bicycleretailer.com, terratrike.com