Battery pack manufacturer Xerotech has formed a partnership with automotive electronic systems supplier Meta System to help expand its offering and provide integrated battery systems to the non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) market.
The NRMM is widely being recognised as the next frontier of electrification, Ireland-based Xerotech says, with industrial OEMs regularly announcing new, fully-electric equipment for heavy duty off-road applications.
“A major barrier to electrification for OEMs in these low-volume high-diversity markets is lack of access to high-quality, automotive-grade components which are normally only available in high volume orders,” Xerotech said. “Xerotech are already actively engaged in many of these first-of-a-kind NRMM electrification projects through the supply of its new Hibernium™ battery platform.”
This strategic partnership with Meta System – which counts BMW Group, Porsche and Daimler Truck as clients – to supply leading-edge automotive-grade on-board chargers (OBCs) and DC-DC converters further supports Xerotech’s strategy of eliminating NRMM electrification challenges, it said. The new offering will bring 400 V and 800 V OBCs in 11 kW and 22 kW with integrated off-board fast-charge control to the market in low volumes along with a selection of 12 V and 24 V bi-directional and uni-directional DC-DC converters, out-of-the-box integrated with Hibernium™ battery packs, Xerotech said.
Matteo Attolini, KAM E-Mobility Business Unit at Meta System, said: “We have identified the off-highway market as a very interesting growth opportunity outside of our core automotive business. Our partnership with Xerotech aligns well with our goals and their flexible battery architecture and systems-engineering approach eliminates many of the traditional concerns for engaging with low-volume customers. We are very excited for the future of this market.”
Barry Flannery, Founder and CEO at Xerotech, added: “Our strategic partnership with Meta System is a game changer. This is the first time that true automotive-grade power electronics are being made available to low-volume OEMs. There are no solutions in this market remotely close to the cost and quality of Meta System’s product portfolio.”