VivoPower acquires 51% shareholding in Tembo 4x4 e-LV

VivoPower acquires 51% shareholding in Tembo 4x4 e-LV

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Late last month we announced that we signed a non-binding letter of intent to sell a 51% shareholding in Tembo e-LV B.V., a Netherlands-based specialist battery-electric and off-road vehicle company. We’re now very pleased to confirm we’ve signed a definitive agreement and are moving forward with the USD$4.7 million acquisition. As we complete this exciting acquisition, Tembo will play an integral role in our sustainable energy solutions (SES) platform. Tembo’s expertise suits our accelerated SES roll out Tembo designs and develops a comprehensive fleet of customised electric vehicles (EVs), often for rugged applications. It services a diverse range of sectors, from mining, infrastructure and utilities to government services, game safaris and humanitarian aid. Given that we have an established customer base in mining, infrastructure and utilities, some of Tembo’s core markets, we are eager about the opportunities this acquisition presents. Our customers are already seeking unique opportunities to reduce their energy costs, increase productivity and become more sustainable long-term, and we can now offer the compelling option to electrify their fleets. ‘We look forward to working even more closely with the Tembo team in scaling up its capacity to deliver customised and/or ruggedised commercial fleet electrification solutions,’ said Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s executive chairman and CEO. ‘This acquisition will enable [us] to accelerate the roll out of our sustainable energy solutions offering, with an initial focus on the mining, infrastructure and utilities sectors globally.’ Our analysis of publicly available industry data indicates that the acquisition could triple our global addressable light vehicle (LV) fleet market to USD$36 billion in the markets where Tembo is currently active. That estimate does not include Asia, South America or the United States, which could represent even further potential.
Tembo e-LV 'Go electric’ and solve the emissions problem in your mine with the Tembo e-LV Electric Cruiser and Electric HLX, the electric light vehicles developed for mining. The zero emissions vehicles, have low maintenance and operational costs and a reduced need for ventilation in underground mining. The smooth driving experience with instant torque keeps your workforce happy: never before has driving a light mining vehicle been so pleasant. Using the venerable Toyota 70-series & the Toyota Hilux as a base vehicle, the Tembo e-LV electric drivetrain replaces the engine, gearbox and all auxiliary parts. Instead of the engine you will find an electric motor and an inverter, instead of fuel lines and a diesel tank there are electric connectors and battery packs. The new drivetrain is a completely sealed and waterproof package, produced in Europe and designed for use in the toughest conditions. Each part of the Tembo e-LV has been selected for durability, easy maintenance and availability:  Tembo e-LV uses proven technology from the European automotive sector. With IP67 ingress ratings on vital parts such as the inverter, the EVCU and all electric connections, the vehicles can theoretically run under water. Special coatings protect all parts for corrosion, guaranteeing a long lifespan in the toughest conditions.    The 110/65 KW E-Drive motor offers 250Nm torque right from the start, regulated by the EVCU for a smooth and predictable ride. The 100 kW Inverter and the battery pack are engineered to give maximum performance. Bolted directly to the transfer case, the E-Drive motor can handle the entire RPM range from manoeuvring to highway speeds, so no gearbox is needed. With permanent 4WD and a central differential the power goes to both front and rear wheels, minimising strain on the drivetrain. The temperature regulation of the battery is vital and a water cooling and heating system is in place for extreme climates and high performance. Charging is easy with the on-board charging system. Plug the Tembo e-LV into a power socket and it will charge almost everywhere. The charger can be adapted to your electric infrastructure, such as the three-phase 208V up to three-phase 600V standards. Underground at one of our clients mining-sites the vehicle achieves 160-200 km of real life range, including regeneration when going downhill. Driving out of the mineshaft at gradients of 45% proves no problem for the strong motor. The vehicles have been designed to be adaptable to different applications, as each mine-site has different requirements. Inside, the biggest visible change is the customisable digital dashboard. You only need to look once for all the important information on speed, range and battery life. There is no guesswork involved, everything you need to know is there. Each vehicle can be equipped with a communication unit with access to the EVCU, for tracking, management and maintenance. Together with the dashboard and access control it brings fleet management to a new level. Operational and maintenance costs decrease with a Tembo e-LV, as most parts are maintenance free or simply absent. There is no fuel quality to worry about, no gearbox or clutch to be replaced. As the EVCU is tuned for smooth power delivery, wear and tear on the drivetrain are minimised. The Electric Cruiser and Electric HLX are the next step in light vehicle development for mining and industry. It offers an adaptable and well known platform for all light duty operations.  At Tembo e-LV we think of the base vehicle as a starting point for bespoke solutions. With almost 50 years of experience in vehicle conversions we can create the vehicle you need.

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