Harbinger unveils plug-in MD hybrid, Panasonic Energy partnership
April 29, 2025
Harbinger’s new plug-in vehicle platform includes a range extender to offer up to 500 miles between charges, with deliveries expected to begin in 2026.
Harbinger has announced its series of hybrid vehicles for medium-duty fleets, featuring electric vehicle powertrains with a gas-powered range extender. The chassis is available for customer pre-orders, and the company plans to begin deliveries to commercial customers in 2026.
“Medium-duty vehicles serve an incredibly diverse range of applications, just like the fleets and operators that rely on them,” said John Harris, co-founder and CEO, Harbinger. “There are some fleets whose needs simply can’t be met with a purely electric vehicle—and we recognize that. Our hybrid is designed for use cases and routes that go beyond what an all-electric system typically supports.”
The plug-in vehicle platform features a low-emissions 1.4-liger inline four-cylinder gas engine with a close couple 800V generator, as well as a 50-gallon fuel tank. The stripped chassis is primarily developed for medium-duty vehicles, including delivery vans, box trucks, recreational vehicles, and emergency and disaster response vehicles. It also features all of the major vehicle systems, such as the electric drivetrain, range extender engine, high-voltage battery system, steering, brakes, and more.
Harbinger
The range extender engine recharges the vehicle’s 140 or 175 kWh battery system, depending on the customer’s preference, offering an estimated 500 miles of range between chargers. Meanwhile, the powertrain offers up to 1,40 lb.-ft. of torque and 440 hp, and the charging architecture allows for rapid charging at DC Fast Charger locations (up to 80% in one hour, according to the company).
To power the vehicle, Panasonic Energy is now the official battery cell supplier for Harbinger, including for the new MD hybrid vehicle. The company’s lithium-ion batteries will be incorporated into Harbinger’s battery system for medium-duty EVs, with Panasonic offering its 2170 batteries for all models. These battery cells, with an energy density of over 800Wh/L, are manufactured in Japan and delivered to Harbinger’s Garden Grove headquarters in California, with both companies looking to expand production.
Panasonic Energy
“The battery cells we are using are the latest version Panasonic Energy supplies to the top consumer EV OEMs,” Harris added. “Panasonic Energy’s long track record of both high-quality battery cell production and the industry’s lowest defect rates sets them apart and ensures Harbinger’s chassis will be outfitted with the best batteries available today.”
The chassis will also be designed and assembled at Harbinger’s Garden Grove headquarters before they are delivered to dealers and customers for upfitting.
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