Orten Electric Trucks specialises in converting commercial vehicles to electric drive. The company, based in Wittlich in Rhineland-Palatinate, will begin integrating 3D-printed solid-state batteries from Blackstone Technology into its vehicles.
Development to be ready for series production next year
The first operational vehicle with Blackstone's new battery technology is already fully developed. In the first quarter of 2022, the two companies will launch a pilot project in which the vehicle with the new battery will be tested in practice. A production vehicle should then be available by the end of 2022. "We are pleased about the strong partnership with Orten E-Trucks. This cooperation is very interesting for both sides," emphasises Serhat Yilmaz, head of marketing at Blackstone Technology.
20 per cent higher power density
Finally, the battery manufacturer based in Döbeln, Saxony, can establish a distribution channel for its fledgling technology of 3D-printed solid-state batteries. "It also allows us to prove that our advanced batteries are ready for the market" says Yilmaz. Orten E-Trucks, in turn, can make good use of the technological advantages with the integration of the printed batteries. This is because, according to Blackstone Technology, the energy density is about 20 per cent higher compared to battery cells with liquid electrolyte. This is not insignificant, especially in the load transport segment. "At the same time, we can drastically reduce environmentally relevant impacts in production and avoid 50 per cent of the waste materials that are common throughout the industry," explains Ulrich Ernst, managing director of Blackstone Resources, the parent company of Blackstone Technology.
Hydrogen truck with printed batteries
But the collaboration between the two companies does not end with the all-electric truck. Orten E-Trucks is currently still planning to develop a heavy-duty truck for long-distance transport that is powered by hydrogen. The electric motors in hydrogen vehicles are basically supplied with electricity by fuel cells. However, electrochemical storage units are also integrated to provide a lot of output at short notice when accelerating. Orten will also use Blackstone's printed solid-state batteries for this purpose. (su/mfo)
See also:
Will there soon be EVs with more than 1,000 kilometres of range?
Cargo e-bikes to deliver groceries quickly and sustainably
Electric lorry drives 1,099 kilometres in 23 hours without recharging
