Kindred Motorworks Partners with KORE Power on Battery Modules for Its Modernized and Electrified Vintage Cars and Trucks
• Kindred Motorworks selects KORE Power’s VDA battery modules
• Agreement ensures multi-year battery supply for Kindred Motorworks EVs
San Rafael, CA – November 7, 2022 Kindred Motorworks, the Bay Area producer of modernized vintage vehicles, announced today that it has partnered with Idaho-based KORE Power, a leading developer of battery cell technology, to supply battery modules for the electrified models in the Kindred lineup. The first two vehicles that will benefit from this partnership are the Kindred VW Bus and the Kindred 3100 pickup truck, both of which are offered exclusively as EVs.
“Our team performed extensive testing with different battery systems and KORE Power’s form factor, performance, and proven safety set them apart from the rest,” said Rob Howard, Kindred Motorworks’ founder and CEO. “This agreement locks in our battery supply for the next several years of vehicle production and we hope to further expand this relationship as we grow,” he added.
Kindred Motorworks selected KORE Power’s VDA 355 format battery modules. These compact, standardized modules—already in wide use by various OEMS—feature integrated sensors for voltage and temperature monitoring. Selecting the VDA modules gives Kindred Motorworks the flexibility to build custom battery enclosures that complement the architecture and design of different classic cars and trucks.
“Ultimately, KORE Power’s modules allow us to maximize driving range for our customers without having to make any design compromises,” said Rob Howard.
The modular design also means that Kindred Motorworks will be able to change and upgrade battery chemistries based on future improvements without having to alter the design of its vehicles’ battery enclosures and other related systems.
“We’ll deliver a reliable, on-time supply of top-tier batteries for Kindred Motorworks’ vehicles,” said KORE Power CEO and co-founder, Lindsay Gorrill. “Using KORE Power cells to electrify Kindred’s vintage vehicles merges modern technology and classic style with an undeniable swagger.”
KORE Power is constructing its first US-based manufacturing facility outside Phoenix, Arizona. The KOREPlex will more than double Kore Power’s existing cell-production capacity, with deliveries of US-manufactured battery modules beginning in 2024.
Kindred Motorworks’ first EV model, the Kindred VW Bus, is available for pre-order now at KindredMotorworks.com. Its second EV, the Kindred 3100 pickup, will be available for pre-order later this month.
ABOUT KINDRED MOTORWORKS
Founder Rob Howard leads Kindred’s team of supply chain, technology and automotive experts operating out of the company’s Mare Island, CA facility. Kindred’s proprietary technology streamlines and standardizes the vehicle restoration process to build modern classics that are attractive, reliable, and fun, removing the worry from vintage-car ownership so drivers can simply enjoy the ride.
About KORE Power:
KORE is a leading U.S.-based developer of battery cell technology and integrated solution manufacturer for the energy storage and e-mobility sectors. With clients in energy storage, e-mobility, utility, industrial and defense markets, KORE provides battery products and solutions that are the backbone for decarbonization across the globe. KORE is uniquely positioned to serve these markets as an integrated provider of cells, batteries, and solutions. Commercial production at the KOREPlex is targeted for 2025. The KOREPlex will have an initial annual production capacity of 6 GWh of battery cells, which may be expanded to 12 GWh to meet market demand. KORE is headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with operations in Waterbury, Vermont, and Buckeye, Arizona.