Harbinger named Panasonic Energy its official commercial EV battery supplier. Panasonic will provide lithium-ion batteries for Harbinger’s proprietary battery system that powers its American-made medium-duty EVs.

Commercial EV Battery Supplier

Panasonic Energy will deliver its latest 2170 battery cells to Harbinger. The company said its cells offer over 800 watt-hours per liter in energy density, to enhance truck performance and efficiency. Initially, Panasonic will ship the battery cells from Japan to Harbinger’s headquarters in Garden Grove, California. Later, Panasonic may expand production to its De Soto, Kansas facility to add U.S.-made cells to Harbinger’s assembly line.

U.S.-Built Chassis and High-Volume Orders Drive Growth

Harbinger manufactures its electric stripped chassis in California for medium-duty vehicles such as walk-in vans, box trucks, RVs, delivery vans, and emergency service vehicles. The chassis integrates the company’s in-house electric drivetrain and high-voltage battery system. Harbinger started production in early 2025. It is currently fulfilling around 5,000 pre-orders from Bimbo Bakeries USA, THOR Industries, and other customers.

Panasonic Powers Harbinger with Proven Battery Reliability

Panasonic said its 2170 cells are known for energy density, safety, and reliability—critical factors for commercial EV battery supplier partners. By March, Panasonic Energy had delivered approximately 19 billion lithium-ion EV batteries globally without any recalls due to battery-related issues.

“Harbinger’s commitment to safety and engineering opened the door for our relationship with Panasonic Energy,” said John Harris, Co-founder and CEO, Harbinger. “The battery cells we are using are the latest version Panasonic Energy supplies to the top consumer EV OEMs. Panasonic Energy’s long track record of both high-quality battery cell production and the industry’s lowest defect rates sets them apart. Panasonic Energy is highly selective when choosing its partners, and we’re honored that Harbinger is now part of an exclusive group of automakers selected to use Panasonic battery cells for their electric vehicles.”

“This partnership marks a transformative milestone for both Panasonic Energy and Harbinger as we jointly advance battery innovation. Harbinger’s chassis design and battery packs stand out as among the safest and most durable in the EV industry, aligning with our high standards for performance and reliability,” said Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy. “Together, we are enhancing Harbinger’s product offerings while reinforcing our shared commitment to sustainability and electrification within the transportation industry.”