Volvo Penta is expanding its capabilities, experience, and range by becoming the majority shareholder of Norwegian marine battery and electric driveline solutions supplier ZEM AS.

Volvo Penta has announced an exciting new acquisition of ZEM – a company with 12 years of market experience as a supplier of both marine battery systems and complete electric drivelines, and a strong track record in Norway, the most mature marine e-mobility market in the world.

“As a part of the Volvo Group’s great electromobility initiatives, Volvo Penta has a solid technology foundation to leverage. Marine electromobility, however, has a unique set of requirements,” explains Peter Granqvist, Chief Technology Officer, Volvo Penta. “There are very specific considerations that are of the utmost importance around the installation environment, safety, as well as the use case itself plus the current lack of charging infrastructure.”

These are challenging issues that require innovative problem-solving and experience. In addition, marine regulations differ from those on-road.

“We believe that bringing different perspectives and experiences together is key when it comes to developing, and progressing, within the field of marine electromobility,” he continues. “The ambition of this fantastic acquisition is to take another step forward in our electromobility development, thanks to the specialised marine competence and offer that ZEM has today.”