Xerotech, an Ireland-based supplier of configurable battery systems, and IMK Engineering, a vehicle engineering firm, have announced they will enter a strategic partnership to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) electrify their fleets.

The companies said the new partnership would help them create a "compelling offering" to OEMs, which they said are facing "mounting pressure to reduce emissions and adopt electric vehicles."

Xerotech said its Hibernium platform batteries complement IMK's vehicle design, engineering and prototyping expertise and would enable "the new wave of low-volume electrification."

Additionally, the companies said the strategic agreement is "the next step" in their broader strategy to improve OEM equipment manufacturing.

Frank Herrmann, managing director at IMK, said the collaboration with Xerotech would give IMK the "opportunity" to offer its "expertise and capabilities" in prototype development and manufacturing to a "wider range of OEMs willing to electrify their fleets."

Thomas Tomaszewski, vice-president of Business Development at Xerotech, said: "Xerotech' Hibernium platform removes the electrification barrier of system component availability, but it is partners like IMK Engineering that are essential for design and development of new generation machinery.

"We are proud to work with Mr. Herrmann's team and deliver the best-in-class solutions to the end customers."

Xerotech said last May it would partner with Norwegian mining industry supplier Agder Gruppen on the electrification of over 200 units of construction and mining machinery over the next five years.