AUBURN HILLS, MI—BorgWarner Inc. is one of the oldest Tier One suppliers in the auto industry. It has been producing transmissions and internal combustion engine components since the early 1900s. Today, the company is positioning itself for the future, with two recent announcements involving electric vehicle technology.
BorgWarner has acquired Akasol AG, a lithium-ion battery pack manufacturer based in Darmstadt, Germany. Its products are used in electric buses and trucks, in addition to off-highway industrial vehicles and boats.
“Akasol is an excellent strategic fit as [we] seek to continue to expand [our] electrification portfolio and capitalize on the profound industry shift toward electrification,” says Frédéric Lissalde, president and CEO of BorgWarner. “Akasol’s manufacturing footprint and established, in-production customer base are complementary to [ours] and would accelerate our foothold into the fast-growing commercial vehicle and off-highway battery pack market.”
BorgWarner also recently unveiled an 800-volt electric motor for commercial vehicle applications. Production of the HVH 320, which will be available in four variants, is expected to begin in 2024. Its multifaceted platform will support the goal of a common electric drivetrain and deliver approximately 97 percent peak efficiency with more than 400-kilowatts of power.
“Adding the HVH 320 to our electric motor family bolsters our offerings and is an excellent example of [our] commitment to delivering state-of-the-art clean propulsion technologies that match market needs,” says Stefan Demmerle, president and general manager of BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems. “Using our 800-volt rated machine, customers can significantly reduce charging time and achieve a higher power density, enabling an even brighter future for electric trucks.
“The HVH 320 motor is the newest addition to [our] portfolio of HVH series motors, which are offered to both light-duty passenger cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles,” explains Demmerle, “These versatile motors feature patented stator winding technology, are easy to integrate and are available as fully housed motors or as rotor-stator assemblies.
“Additionally, the motors can be used in a variety of architectural positions throughout a vehicle,” claims Demmerle. “[We] also offer inverters that can achieve the same, next-generation 800-volt level.”
