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Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group company, has announced its lithium-ion batteries will power the new zero-emission truck brand, Tern. This includes their first model, the RC8, a battery-electric Class 8 tractor for the U.S. market. Tern is a collaboration between Hexagon Purus ASA, a leading manufacturer of zero-emission mobility, and Hino Trucks. This marks Panasonic Energy’s entry into the commercial vehicle sector.
Key Highlights:
- Panasonic Energy’s First in Commercial Vehicles: This is the first time Panasonic Energy’s batteries are being used in a commercial vehicle.
- Strategic Partnership: This venture extends the partnership between Panasonic Energy and Hexagon Purus, first announced in April 2023.
- U.S.-Based Production: Panasonic will manufacture batteries for Tern Trucks in Japan and later from their new U.S. facility in De Soto, Kansas.
The RC8 semi-tractor is built on Hino Trucks’ XL 4×2 chassis and incorporates Hexagon Purus’ zero-emission technology, designed to meet the practical needs of electrifying fleet routes. This development aligns with the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) standard by the California Air Resources Board, mandating an increase in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) capacity in heavy-duty trucks.
Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy, emphasized the significance of this development: “Commercial and heavy-duty transportation represents critical infrastructure for the U.S. economy. Providing batteries for Tern and Hexagon Purus is an important step in helping us to drive the growth of the lithium-ion battery industry and accelerating the transition to zero-emission mobility.”
The ACT standard requires 5% of new Class 7 and 8 trucks sold in California in 2024 to be ZEVs, with 100% of truck manufacturers’ sales to be ZEVs by 2040. This regulation has also been adopted by seven other states, with more in the process of adopting the rule. The U.S. electric truck market is projected to reach USD 15,143 million by 2030, with heavy-duty trucks being the fastest-growing category.
Morten Holum, CEO of Hexagon Purus, highlighted Panasonic’s pioneering role: “Panasonic has been a pioneer in making zero-emission mobility available to the mass market, and this, coupled with their reliability and focus on continuous innovation, makes them the ideal partner for Hexagon Purus.”
Panasonic Energy continues to lead in lithium-ion battery technology, enhancing its lineup of automotive lithium-ion batteries and expanding production capacity. Their facility in Sparks, Nevada, is one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factories, with over nine billion EV battery cells shipped. The expansion in Kansas further cements Panasonic’s position as a leader in the North American EV market and supports their Green IMPACT initiative aimed at achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2030 and avoiding 300 million tons of emissions by 2050.
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