B–ON, the European provider of clean mobility solutions and Chery Group, the globalised Chinese automobile brand, announced at the CV Show that the two companies have reached an agreement for a partnership, including the formation of a joint venture and the launch of the new Pelkan electric light commercial vehicle.
The focus will be to develop, produce and sell all-electric commercial vehicles. The Pelkan was also revealed at the show.
As part of the partnership, B–ON will contribute its network for sales, aftersales and branding in Europe and North America as well as engineering design and product development, while Chery will also provide engineering, in addition to access to its capabilities for both supply chain support and manufacturing. The Pelkan will feature a payload of up to 1,350kg and two battery variants of 43 and 54 kWh designed to provide extended range up to 226km and 279km respectively. Pelkan will be delivered to customers in mainland Europe beginning in the summer.
Founded in 1997, Chery Group is the third largest auto manufacturer in China, with nearly two million vehicles sold in 2023. The firm is also China’s leading automobile exporter and has been for 20 years, with millions of vehicle sales across South America and Eastern Europe. The company has a long history of successful joint ventures with brands including Jaguar Land Rover.
B–ON operates as a global team with major hubs in France, Switzerland, the UK and China. Founded in 2020 by CEO Bruno Lambert, the company is focused on accelerating the transition to electric fleets by providing purpose-built electric vehicles, smart productivity-enhancing tools, fleet software and telematics, plus advanced energy solutions.
Partnering with a major world leader like Chery Group is a pivotal moment for B–ON and its growth,
said Lambert.
Combined, our ability to provide high quality, low-cost electric commercial vehicles is unmatched in the market and I’m optimistic about our joint prospects.