BOSTON – XL Hybrids and Johnson Controls have signed an agreement where Johnson Controls will supply lithium-ion battery packs for hybrid powertrains for light-duty vehicles used by commercial fleets. XL Hybrids provides hybrid-electric powertrains for the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans. XL Hybrids provides hybrid powertrain conversions for a range of models.

The battery pack Johnson Controls is supplying provides 1.8 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy storage, a peak discharge power rating of 50 kW, and a nominal voltage of 260V, according to the company. Johnson Controls is developing the battery pack at its manufacturing facility in Holland, Mich. XL Hybrids stated that by integrating Johnson Controls’ battery pack, the hybrid powertrain can reduce fuel consumption by up to 21% on urban routes (when compared with gasoline-fueled vehicles).

According to XL Hybrids, the company has sold hybrid Chevrolet Express vans to large fleets in the U.S. as part of pilot programs, though the company declined to specify which fleets are involved with those programs.

XL Hybrids stated it plans to expand its hybrid system offerings by to the “most popular” pickup trucks and vans.