Electric vehicle maker Balqon Corp completed a distribution agreement with Autoelevadores Yale SA, which has more than 18 forklift sales and service locations in Argentina.

Industrial startup Balqon of Harbor City develops heavy-duty electric trucks, tractors and electric drive systems incorporating a proprietary flux vector control technology.

The emerging Balqon operation focuses on zero-emission vehicles for Class 7 and Class 8 applications. Balqon aims to design propulsion systems for large-capacity materials handling equipment and other vehicles, in part utilising lithium-ion battery management systems.

Marking its 30th business anniversary, Autoelevadores Yale is based in Buenos Aires and represents Nacco Materials Handling Group Inc.'s Yale forklift brand in addition to being an authorised Balqon dealer for vehicles, parts and service in Argentina.

Gustavo Buzzalino, president of Autoelevadores Yale, says: "We are very excited to be partnering with Balqon Corporation and rolling out their products to our existing client base comprised of local ports, distribution warehouses and inner city distribution companies. . . . Low emissions and energy efficiency vehicles have a huge demand in the materials handling space."

Balqon employed 13 staff, according to a 16 November prospectus filing, reported a loss of USD1.98 million on sales of USD3.06 million for the nine months ended 30 September and trades publicly as an over-the-counter bulletin board stock.