Vietnamese commercial vehicle manufacturer Kim Long Motor has signed a preliminary agreement to source NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) cylindrical batteries from South Korea’s LG Energy Solution Ltd (LGES) for a new range of battery-powered buses scheduled to go into production in 2026.

According to the memorandum of understanding (MOU), Kim Long has agreed to purchase around 1 GWh (gigawatt-hour) of LGES’ latest generation, 46-series cylindrical batteries over an undefined period. These batteries, measuring 46 mm in diameter and up to 120 mm in height, are larger than the previous generation 2170-series batteries, and are seen as being more suitable for buses serving long-distance, inter-city routes.

Last year, Kim Long completed construction of a new US$ 145 million commercial vehicle plant in Vietnam’s Hue Province, which will focus mainly on bus production. The company also plans to build a US$ 45 million battery pack assembly facility nearby, which is scheduled to go into operation in 2026.

Le Quang Dat, vice chairman of Kim Long Motor, said in a statement: “Through cooperation with LGES, a world-class battery company, we will be able to secure a stable supply chain and thoroughly manage quality. This will not only enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese electric vehicles but also serve as an opportunity for Vietnam to leap forward as a center of the clean energy industry in Asia and the world.”