Canadian lithium-ion battery specialist Electrovaya has announced a $26 million diesel-to-electric supply agreement with Australian firm Janus Electric to bring swappable battery technology for Class 8 heavy-duty trucks to North America. The partnership leverages Electrovaya’s proprietary Infinity Battery Technology, designed to be durable and compatible with daily swapping cycles for heavy transport.
Diesel-to-Electric Conversions and Swappable Batteries
The $26 million agreement represents the initial phase of orders for the US and Canadian markets. As part of the arrangement, Electrovaya has agreed to invest approximately $1.4 million in Janus for up to 4.2 million shares, along with up to 6.3 million warrants. Janus converts existing diesel prime movers to battery-electric operation and pairs them with swappable battery packs and Janus Charge & Change Stations. This system allows commercial fleets to exchange batteries in minutes rather than waiting hours to recharge, avoiding the capital cost of purchasing brand-new electric trucks.
North American Footprint and Manufacturing Expansion
Janus currently has 118 truck conversion orders and commitments combined across the US and Canada. To support this growth, Janus has already begun deliveries to Electrovaya, while Electrovaya is advancing a major expansion of its North American manufacturing footprint. The centerpiece of this expansion is a production facility in Jamestown, New York, covering lithium-ion battery cells, modules, and packs, with operations scheduled to start next year.
Market Outlook and Diversification
Beyond the electric truck conversion sector, Electrovaya anticipates future business opportunities across material handling, robotics, defense, and AI data center infrastructure. The collaboration aims to provide a practical solution for heavy transport decarbonization, enabling commercial fleet operators to transition diesel vehicles to electric operation without compromising daily operational schedules.
Practical Takeaway
For fleet operators exploring heavy-duty electrification, the Janus-Electrovaya partnership offers a diesel conversion route utilizing swappable battery infrastructure designed to minimize vehicle downtime. Prospective buyers should monitor the upcoming New York production facility roll-out and regional conversion availability as order fulfillment scales across North America.
Source: Original report