NFI has partnered with American Battery Solutions (ABS) to procure custom battery packs for its electric transit buses and coaches in North America.
This partnership aims to increase the capacity and resiliency of NFI’s North American battery supply.
NFI initially commenced a five-year agreement with ABS in 2021. Following two years of development and testing, it is now launching ABS batteries as part of its electric bus production.
These units will roll out in customer deliveries from the first quarter of 2024.
“Demand for battery-electric buses is accelerating, and we are leading the evolution to zero-emission public transportation. Our partnership with ABS will provide NFI with the capacity, flexibility, and resiliency we need as we ramp up production at our facilities across North America. ABS has made significant investments in their pack assembly and battery technology, providing us with industry leading solutions. We look forward to working together with ABS to advance battery technology for public transportation.”
ABS’ modular lithium-ion NMC (nickel, manganese, cobalt) batteries fit inside NFI’s existing battery enclosure.
Design and engineering for these new battery packs has been led from ABS’ Michigan Innovation Center in Lake Orion, with pack production taking place at ABS’ Springboro manufacturing facility in Ohio.
“We are excited and proud to partner with NFI, a company at the forefront of electric-powered public transportation. This contract reflects NFI’s well-placed confidence in ABS’ ability to meet technical and performance requirements at a healthy volume with the right cost position.
“We have invested over $200 million in our state-of-the-art automated pack assembly line and facility, with the capacity to deliver the product NFI needs so that it can continue to lead the electrification of public transportation in North America.”
