Octillion Supplying Lightning Systems with Batteries for Medium-duty Electric Trucks

Electric fuel cell model and ‘Lightning Mobile’ direct current fast charger among new products Octillion is supporting

Octillion Power Systems, a leading provider of advanced lithium-ion storage systems for electric mobility, is working with Colorado-based Lightning Systems, a leading developer of zero-emission drivetrains for commercial vehicles, to bring tomorrow’s sustainable electric drive systems to the market today. 

The collaboration will produce Class 6 electric trucks (up to 12.5 tons) capable of supporting “middle-mile” delivery logistics between warehouses and distribution centers. Octillion also is supplying batteries for Lightning’s new mobile battery charger, which can be rapidly deployed to provide fast roadside charging to support the operation of electric fleet vehicles. The mobile charger offers the capability to recharge EVs on their routes, which allows fleets to maximize vehicle uptime.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Lightning Systems to ­offer our advanced batteries for Lightning’s medium-duty powertrains as well as their new mobile EV charger,” said Paul Beach, Octillion’s president. “Lightning is on the forefront of electric vehicles for fleets and is a growing company. We plan to grow with them as we partner together to help fleets to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Lightning’s electric, fuel cell-powered Class 6 truck offered by Plug Power Inc. is available beginning in the third quarter of 2020. Lightning’s all-electric version of the truck also is powered by Octillion’s batteries, which are offered in configurable energy systems of 96kWh, 128kWh, 160kWh and 192kWh.

“A customer recently remarked to us that our product delivered more uptime and reliability than a new diesel vehicle that they had recently purchased,” said Tim Reeser, CEO, Lightning Systems. “Part of that success is the fact that Octillion’s battery solutions work seamlessly with our technology. It is something that fleets never have to worry about.”

Octillion has customized its battery offerings to address the “sweet spot” in the E-trucking mobility sector, namely the medium-duty truck segment, where the potential to reduce fleet operational costs and improve sustainability are the greatest.

“Mid-range trucks make an ideal target for electrification because they are heavily used for intracity deliveries with dedicated routes and return daily to depots with shared infrastructures that can readily accommodate overnight dwell times for charging,” Beach said. “Recent studies have found that the return on investment for electric Classes 3-6 trucks in urban settings makes them an ideal option for sustainable freight hauls in the less than 100-mile range.”

Lightning’s new product, its mobile battery charger, is equipped with 192 kWh of high-energy-density, liquid-cooled DC battery storage in a package designed to be installed in a vehicle or trailer for mobile deployment. Lightning Mobile gives fleets the capability to provide a “power rescue” vehicle that offers roadside charging and also is able to recharge EVs on their routes.

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