Fortescue Zero announced plans to begin operations at its US Advanced Manufacturing Centre in Detroit, starting with the production of an advanced High-Voltage (HV) Marine Battery Pack.
This battery, utilising Fortescue’s Scalable Battery Module (SBM) technology, will be used by EVOA, a leader in marine propulsion, to power luxury marine vessels such as wake boats and tenders.
The HV Marine Battery Pack, designed specifically for EVOA, is capable of delivering 30kWh to 34kWh, supporting powertrains of up to 1,000 horsepower.
“Fortescue Zero is uniquely positioned with the expertise and experience to deliver the zero-emission power systems needed across sectors eager to decarbonize,” said Mark Hutchinson, CEO of Fortescue Energy.
“The Marine Battery Packs we will manufacture in Detroit for EVOA are just the beginning of what our technology can achieve.”
“Electrifying a wake boat is no easy task,” said Mike Anderson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at EVOA.
“We needed an energy system that delivers the power to keep a wake boat, fully loaded, running all day long without any issues. Fortescue delivered just that.”
Production at the Detroit facility is expected to begin in Q4 2025.
The site, which was refurbished last year, is set to become a major hub for producing automotive, marine, and heavy industry batteries, as well as fast chargers and other sustainable technologies.
“Our Scalable Battery Module product is flexible and adaptable for a range of products and markets,” added Hutchinson.
“From racetracks to mine sites, we’ve pushed innovation to the limit. Now, customers will benefit from our real-world experience with a neat solution that minimizes investment and risk.”
Fortescue’s US Advanced Manufacturing Centre aims to play a crucial role in the decarbonisation of industries while creating local manufacturing jobs.
According to the company, the battery packs produced at the facility will be the first of many components aimed at transforming industries.
