THINK, Ener1 enter Japanese EV supply agreement

THINK, the Scandinavian electric vehicle (EV) maker, and its battery partner Ener1, have secured another supply agreement for the proprietary "plug and play" EV drivetrain technology with a Japanese partnership program led by Itochu Corporation.

Jan. 1, 2020

2 min read

THINK, the Scandinavian electric vehicle (EV) maker, and its battery partner Ener1, have secured another supply agreement for the proprietary "plug and play" EV drive-train technology with a Japanese partnership program led by Itochu Corporation.

Think and Ener1 will supply three prototype test-beds as part of a new project to test electric vehicles in the Japanese city of Tsukuba.

The Tsukuba Environmental Project is the result of a newly announced partnership between Itochu, Mazda and other leading Japanese companies. The project will see the conversion of three Mazda 2 models to plug-in battery power to test and evaluate the vehicles’ resilience in busy Tsukuba City daily commuter traffic.

Ener1’s rapid charging technologies, secondary applications of EV batteries, the use of renewable energy for battery charging and new car-sharing initiatives will also be tested as part of the project.

THINK CEO, Richard Canny, says: “Japan is quickly becoming one of the most forward-thinking countries in the world when it comes to electric vehicle technologies. Already this year we have supplied the Japan Postal Service -- through Japanese System Integrator Zero Sports -- with our THINK and Ener1 EV drive-train system for the testing of a new fleet of electric postal vehicles.”

He continues: “THINK’s latest generation integrated EV drive controller will power the new Mazda 2 test vehicles, further demonstrating our leadership in electric vehicle technology. This is a very exciting initiative, especially with the ancillary tests being conducted into the use of renewable energy sources and secondary applications of EV batteries – watch this space.”

Ener1’s Chairman and CEO, Charles Gassenheimer, adds: “This is the second big opportunity we have had to work with our partners at Think Global to develop a complete drive-train system for a third party customer. EnerDel has worked hard to build upstream and downstream relationships with the industry's leading companies around the world that give us a crucial edge as these growing markets converge.”

For more information, visit www.think.no.