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Dow Kokam Powers Medium-Duty Commercial Hybrids, Electrics

Dow Kokam, a large-format battery system producer, announced Monday in advance of the Work Truck Show that it has signed two new agreements to provide advanced lithium-ion battery systems to power medium-duty plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and fully-electric (EV) trucks designated for fleet operations. 

Dow Kokam's new projects with Motiv Power Systems and ZeroTruck will provide new electric vehicle options for flexible medium-duty truck designs that reduce carbon emissions and operating costs for fleet owners.

"Beyond their environmental benefits, PHEV and EV vehicles offer significant advantages to commercial vehicle and fleet operators in terms of cost, mission fulfillment, reliability and longevity. Dow Kokam's high-performance advanced battery technology enables vehicle converters to unlock these advantages for fleet owners," said Chuck Reardon, vice president of Dow Kokam. "We are excited by the opportunities that Motiv and ZeroTruck are providing to fleet owners to update their fleets and realize the long-term benefits of electrification."

Dow Kokam's large format batteries bring the reliability of more than 10 years of performance in demanding applications with system integration capabilities that have been proven in more than 1 million kilometers of rigorous, on-the-road testing. Dow Kokam technology has been adopted as the primary source of energy for high performance equipment in industries ranging from transportation, marine, aerospace, defense and high-end industrial products.

Dow Kokam's advanced thermal management, proven reliability and flexible design are all key advantages for integration in commercial vehicles, enabling the company to provide solutions for the range of commercial operations included in the new agreements.

"Dow Kokam's battery technology is a ready answer to fleet and commercial vehicle needs while also providing a very compelling total cost of ownership-scenario to owners," said Reardon. "These flexible, high performance PHEV and EV vehicles represent a whole new range of opportunities for commercial vehicle owner and operators to revolutionize their fleets and operations."

Motiv Power Systems, an electric drive power control system provider, with funding from the California Energy Commission, is using Dow Kokam's advanced battery system to convert a Class 4, Ford E-450 diesel chassis to a completely electric system for a passenger shuttle bus. The fully electric, 20-passenger shuttle bus has a 100 mile range, and will operate daily in the San Francisco region. 

Over eight years, the adaptation of the fully electric bus is expected to save 40,000 gallons of diesel fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 435 tons.

ZeroTruck, a developer and producer of commercial electric trucks, is using Dow Kokam's large-format lithium-ion battery systems to power fully-electric, Class 3-6 work vehicles based on the Isuzu N series medium duty truck chassis. The ZeroTruck is available in Class 3-6 chassis and can operate at full highway speeds, with a 70 mile range in city driving and superior torque compared to conventional vehicles.

The versatile Isuzu N series chassis design enables ZeroTruck to be modified for utility, dry freight, stake bed, tow, sweeper, and refuse body type applications.

For more information about these agreements, and Dow Kokam's proven advanced lithium-ion battery systems, please visit www.dowkokam.com.

Dow Kokam was established in 2009 to develop and manufacture technologically advanced and economically viable batteries for the transportation, defense, industrial and medical industries. The company is owned by The Dow Chemical Co., TK Advanced Battery LLC and Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault (Dassault).

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