AZD Taps Johnson Controls-Saft to Supply Battery for Ford Transit Connect BEV
By Scott Doggett December 1, 2009
Azure Dynamics Corp. announced today that it has selected Johnson Controls-Saft to supply the Lithium-ion batteries for the AZD drivetrain that will power the Ford Transit Connect battery electric vehicle, an all-electric van scheduled to enter production in late 2010.
The Transit Connect BEV - the first of four electric vehicles Ford plans to build in its global commercial vehicle program - has a targeted range of 80 miles on all-electric power.
In addition to its work with Azure, Johnson Controls-Saft is in production with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class hybrid, currently on sale in Europe and the United States.
Johnson Controls-Saft also will supply the Li-ion hybrid batteries for the BMW 7-Series ActiveHybrid available in 2010 and Ford's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, available in 2012.
The Transit Connect BEV will use the same battery technology that is currently installed in the Ford Escape test fleet of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, also supplied by Johnson Controls-Saft.
The Johnson Controls-Saft battery systems, including electronics, electrical and mechanical components, will be assembled at the company's facility in Holland, Mich.
Azure Dynamics has not announced the manufacturing location for the Transit Connect BEV.
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