German battery manufacturer Lion E-Mobility AG has inked a significant deal with Turkish bus manufacturer Karsan to supply battery packs. The contract, valued at approximately six million euros, includes binding orders for deliveries slated to commence this year.
The agreement, signed with Lion’s subsidiary Lion Smart Production, also includes an additional option worth another six million euros, with deliveries scheduled for 2024. This flexibility allows Karsan to adapt to evolving market demands in the rapidly expanding electric bus sector.
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“This firm order underscores the confidence placed in Lion’s superior battery technology,” the company stated, highlighting the strength of its product offering.
Lion Smart Production shifted its production from Dingolfing in Bavaria to Hildburghausen in southern Thuringia in 2023. The new facility, operational since June, has the capacity to assemble around 200 battery packs daily or 50,000 packs annually. Lion procures battery cells from various sources, including the Chinese manufacturer SVOLT, with agreements in place for both NCM and LFP-based cells, expected to be fully implemented by mid-2024.
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“We are thrilled to announce this contract with KARSAN, deepening the partnership,” said Joachim Damasky, CEO of Lion. “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to shaping a future where clean, electric transportation is the norm. By joining forces, we are poised to make a significant impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a more sustainable world for generations to come.”
Karsan is renowned for its electric minibuses and midi-buses, and has expanded its portfolio to include a battery-electric solo bus in the twelve-metre class and an 18-metre articulated bus since 2021. Additionally, a fuel cell version of the e-ATA model was unveiled in 2022.
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Lion Smart is a subsidiary of the Swiss holding company Lion E-Mobility AG, focusing on the Lion SE09 high-voltage battery for mobile and stationary applications. The company recently announced that its assembly process is “almost completely automated.” Lion’s clientele also includes Canadian manufacturer Vicinity Motor, facilitated through Lion Smart North America.
