LG Energy Solutions eyes construction vehicles for its battery packs

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Continuing efforts to look beyond its electric vehicle offerings, LG Energy Solutions, the parent company of Windsor’s NextStar Energy battery plant, announced a new initiative to develop battery packs for compact construction equipment.

A memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Doosan Bobcat will see the two companies jointly develop battery pack solutions for use in construction equipment such as skid-steer loaders and excavators aimed at the North American market.

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“We are excited to collaborate with Doosan Bobcat, a global leader in construction equipment, to develop electrification technologies and expand our business in this vitally important sector,” Yooseong Oh, senior vice president and head of LG Energy Solution’s Mobility & IT Battery Division, said in a statement.

The companies also announced they’ll explore opportunities to extend the partnership for applications for ground maintenance equipment and tractors. The plan is to use LG Energy Solution’s cylindrical batteries in Doosan Bobcat’s flagship construction equipment models.

While NextStar’s main client for its Windsor plant is its joint venture partner Stellantis, the plant has the capability of making any type of battery, using the current chemistry, should LG Energy Solution opt to supplement local electric vehicle battery production.

This latest partnership follows LG Energy Solution’s announcement last October of its intention to expand into non-EV applications to diversify its portfolio of clients.

LG Energy Solution holds the most battery-related patents in the world (69,600) and has targeted new mobility sectors such as Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and vessels.

“We are pleased to develop battery packs for compact construction equipment on the back of excellent quality and stability of LG Energy Solution’s cells,” Hyunchul (Charlie) Park, Doosan Bobcat’s executive VP, said in a statement.

“We will standardize battery packs for compact construction equipment and provide solutions to major markets such as North America.”

Dwaddell@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/winstarwaddell

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