BorgWarner Akasol AG
Ultra-High-Energy Battery System for Electrified Commercial Vehicles
This article first appeared in the Bus-News magazine, Issue 1 2023.
BorgWarner’s ultra-high-energy battery system exploits the full potential of its battery technology to lower the total cost of ownership for electrified commercial vehicles.
History and Background
Different types of batteries have been tried for use in vehicles since the early 1900s, but there is no universal battery than can be used for all types of vehicles. Instead, batteries must be specifically designed for the needs of each type of vehicle. The electrified commercial vehicle (eCV) market is experiencing rapid growth, since buses and trucks can improve sustainability by providing higher transportation efficiency compared to smaller vehicles. To properly realise these advantages, the power source needs to be tailored to the operational demands of each type of eCV.
In 2018, BorgWarner visited major electric bus and truck suppliers to gain a thorough understanding of their future needs. In 2019, this resulted in the battery module design that now forms the major building block of the battery pack discussed here.
BorgWarner’s UHE battery system is rated as a highly sustainable battery solution according to a TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) audited calculation method in Germany.
Battery Optimisation for eCVs
Compared to a passenger battery electric vehicle (BEV), an electrified commercial vehicle (eCV) demands significantly different priorities from its batteries. For cars, initial purchase cost, energy and power density are primary considerations, but for the eCV market, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is critical, and this largely depends on how many times the battery must be replaced throughout the vehicle’s life. Mechanical robustness, longevity, compact dimensions, and light weight of the battery assume much higher importance for the commercial vehicle market, where continuous, long-term usage must be assured while keeping vehicle payload capacity as high as possible.
