SEA Electric signs new EV Truck battery deal

SEA Electric has signed a new deal for 1000 batteries for electric commercial vehicles from its technology partner Soundon New Energy Technology Co.

Since 2012 Soundon has developed seven SEA-Drive battery solutions during the two company’s shared journey in the electric commercial vehicle space. 

Through this new relationship SEA Electric is realising the cost benefits of Soundon’s technical expertise, as well as its production efficiencies.

Battery production is underway with fulfilment completion expected sometime in Q2 2021. The deal also allows SEA Electric to realise a 36% reduction in kilowatt hour (kWh) unit cost.

“Our long-term relationship with Soundon has been a very successful commercial journey and we anticipate continuing to share our global successes along the way.” SEA Electric president and founder Tony Fairweather says

While the majority of the 1000 battery units are slated for the United States, the balance will go to SEA Electric inventories in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, along with the company’s first entry into the European market.  

SEA Electric’s proprietary technology fits hundreds of OEM platforms with this order shared cross three power-system models:

• SEA-Drive^® 70 – contains 88 kilowatt hours (kWh)
• SEA-Drive^® 100 – contains 101 kilowatt hours (kWh)
• SEA-Drive^® 120 – contains 138 kilowatt hours (kWh)

Soundon’s manufacturing operations are located in the Hunan Province in China, and utilise a combination of robotics, high intelligence, high digitalisation, and high automation to integrate a comprehensive smart-factory solution.

Soundon sales and marketing vice president Wu Peng says the 1000 unit order is a significant milestone in the partnership with SEA Electric.

“This new order not only facilitates SEA Electric’s substantial global growth, it also positions Soundon as a leader in the export market for commercial electric vehicles,” Peng says.

Los Angeles-based SEA Electric currently has operations in five countries and more than one million km of independent Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) testing and in-service operation in all markets.

It currently partners with commercial vehicle OEMs, dealers, operators and upfitters to deliver a new range of zero-emissions trucks and is on schedule to deliver more than 1,000 electric commercial vehicles this year. The company forecast is to have more than 15,000 vehicles on the road by the end of 2023.