LG Chem will supply batteries to Japan's Yamaha Motors, the world's leader in golf carts.
The LG Group company said on October 4 that it would start supplying lithium-ion batteries to the Japanese golf cart maker until next year. The batteries it would deliver to Yamaha is twice longer in battery life than the conventional lead-acid battery although their weight is about a half of it. Normally lead-acid batteries need to be repaired every two years while LG's lithium-ion batteries don't require any repair for the five-year warranty period.
An LG Chem official said the latest deal was made possible by a long-term relationship it has developed with the Japanese company since 2013 when it signed a technology agreement in relation to lithium-ion batteries. He added, "This is the first time for Yamaha to launch a golf cart operated by a lithium-ion battery. This is a meaningful milestone for us because we are the first supplier for the whole new product."
LG Chem is currently reviewing a plan to expand its golf cart battery business further by employing the same module used in batteries to be delivered to Yahama to all models. Kwon Young-soo, president of the battery business unit of LG Chem, said, "We will step up our effort to grab more market share in the world's golf cart battery market."