Volvo Penta taps into battery technology for electrification push
A strategic investment gives Volvo Penta access to something it was missing – batteriesThe switch to electric motors is about to pick up pace at Volvo Penta, with the Scandanavian group becoming the major shareholder in Norwegian marine battery and electric driveline specialist ZEM AS.
Volvo Penta said the investment would tap into the talents of a company with 12 years of experience in supplying marine battery systems and complete electric drivelines in Norway, the “most mature marine e-mobility market in the world”.
The move also gives Volvo Penta a source of the battery technology it will need to complement its electrification goals.
“As a part of the Volvo Group’s great electromobility initiatives, Volvo Penta has a solid technology foundation to leverage,” Volvo Penta chief technology officer Peter Granqvis said.
“There are very specific considerations that are of the utmost importance around the installation environment, safety, as well as the use case itself, plus the current lack of charging infrastructure.”
Volvo Penta has flagged that a switch from diesel to electric drivetrain technology is a key part of its transformation to a more sustainable company.
The change in thinking at the top of the business is believed to have been the driving force behind Volvo Penta’s decision to shut down Seven Marine, the maker of the world’s most powerful outboard engines because it did not fit with the company’s long-term vision.
Under the arrangement with ZEM, the smaller Norwegian company will still produce its own line of electrified marine drivetrains that it will sell to customers.
However, it will work with Volvo Penta on customised electrified drivetrains that will be sold to Volvo Penta’s customers worldwide.
Sustainable power
“Volvo Penta's vision is to become a leader in sustainable power solutions, where we are driving transformation on land and at sea towards a more sustainable society,” Volvo Penta president Heléne Mellquist said.
“With this acquisition, we are now able to offer driveline solutions for marine customers through ZEM and also contribute to the broader marine electromobility footprint through battery supply.
“It is a step forward in our transformation and will also allow Volvo Penta to capture new opportunities,” she said.
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