Two major truck OEMs (Daimler Trucks & Buses and PACCAR) and a component supplier (Accelera by Cummins) have completed the formation of a joint venture, Amplify Cell Technologies, to establish battery cell production in the US.

Amplify will soon begin construction of a 21 GWh cell factory in Marshall County, Mississippi, with potential for further expansion. The factory is expected to create more than 2,000 US manufacturing jobs, and is to begin production in 2027.

Accelera, Daimler Truck and PACCAR each own 30 percent of the JV. Battery cell manufacturer EVE Energy serves as the technology partner, and owns a 10-percent stake.

EV consultant and prolific commenter James Carter calculates that Amplify’s projected annual capacity will be enough to provide batteries for at least 40,000 electric trucks per year. (He’s assuming 200 kWh packs for Class 4 and 5 delivery vans and 800 kWh packs for Class 8 tractors, thus an average of 500 kWh of capacity per truck.)

Amplify is expected to focus on LFP cells, which are heavier, but cheaper longer-lasting than NMC cells. Manufacturing batteries at scale in North America should bring down the cost of electric trucks significantly. This trend, combined with the steady proliferation of heavy-duty EV charging sites, is likely to result in a lot more electric trucks on the roads in the coming years.

“For Daimler Truck, a strict focus on costs and smart capital allocation are the key levers to succeed on the path toward truly sustainable transportation,” said John O’Leary, President and CEO of Daimler Truck North America. “This partnership enables economies of scale beyond Daimler Truck. It is a key puzzle piece of our battery industrialization strategy, ensuring access to the right battery cell technology at the right cost and right time for our customers.”

“Cummins’s power solutions are at the heart of the economy, and we have the responsibility to decarbonize in a way that meets our customers’ varied needs as they navigate the energy transition,” said Cummins Chair and CEO Jennifer Rumsey. “Amplify will enable Accelera and our partners to deliver solutions that best serve our customers and the planet.”

“Amplify Cell Technologies will enable PACCAR to offer customers cost-effective premium-quality battery-electric powertrains that meet their operational and sustainability needs,” said PACCAR CEO Preston Feight.

Source: PACCAR