BorgWarner to supply eFans, H2 fuel systems

BorgWarner has announced a pair of significant contracts for advanced systems for European manufacturers.

The company has been selected by a major European commercial vehicle OEM to provide its eFan system for battery-powered long haul road transport vehicles. This is the company’s first business win for the high voltage (HV) eFan system, which is engineered to fit each customer’s individual requirements.

BorgWarner will supply its eFan system for a European commercial vehicle manufacturer. (Photo: BorgWarner)

BorgWarner also said it has also been selected by a European construction equipment manufacturer to supply hydrogen fuel injection systems.

The new fan system will be implemented on vehicles for the European market. Production is expected to commence in late 2024.

“We are a longstanding technology partner of this customer and this business win signals continued confidence in BorgWarner’s thermal management expertise,” said Joe Fadool, president and general manager, BorgWarner Emissions, Thermal and Turbo Systems. “Vehicle manufacturers face technically challenging emissions goals that are driving a transition from fossil fueled combustion engines toward CO2-neutral drivetrains across transportation segments. Our eFan system will perform a key role in cooling strategies for high-voltage electrified vehicles.”

The HV eFan is driven by an electric motor powered by the vehicle’s electrical system via an inverter. The power density of the motor is rated at 40 kW output, while maintaining compact dimensions, the company said. Optimized for speeds below 3000 rpm, the motor is liquid-cooled and the entire package is completely encapsulated to provide long-term operation. The system has a wide operating range from less than 650 V up to 850 V, which BorgWarner said ensures compatibility with a variety of high-voltage commercial vehicle electrical systems.

The production program for the hydrogen fuel injection system includes injectors, fuel rail, electronic control unit and system integration.

BorgWarner’s hydrogen fuel injection system. (Photo: BorgWarner)

“This business win strengthens the longstanding relationship with our customer,” said Davide Girelli, vice president and general manager, BorgWarner Fuel Injection Systems. “We’re glad to provide them with the full hydrogen injection system, including fuel injectors, rail, electronic control unit and system integration.

“BorgWarner’s offerings in the electric mobility segment have increased immensely in the last few years. Investing in the development of hydrogen applications is a further step toward creating a broad portfolio of clean and efficient propulsion technology.”

Hydrogen technology is a quick-to-market propulsion solution that requires only slight adjustments to the traditional internal combustion engine. As hydrogen has a substantially lower density than gasoline and diesel, the engine’s injection system needs a different solution to meet fueling and packaging requirements.

BorgWarner said it is building on years of experience in the field of injection systems and is actively working on hydrogen components for low, medium and high-pressure environments, including port fuel injection and direct injection solutions.

Acquisition of battery specialst Akasol completed

BorgWarner  also announced that it has completed its acquisition of Akasol AG, roughly one year from the time it first announced the signing of a Business Combination Agreement between the two companies. BorgWarner paid approximately $880 million overall to acquire the Darmstadt, Germany, supplier.

Akasol designs and manufactures customizable battery packs for use in buses, commercial vehicles, rail and industrial vehicles and marine vessels.

The combination of BorgWarner and Akasol is expected to significantly strengthen the company’s commercial vehicle and industrial electrification capabilities, which positions the company to capitalize on what it believes to be a fast-growing battery systems market.

“We are pleased to complete our acquisition of Akasol and welcome Akasol’s talented employees in Germany and the United States to BorgWarner,” said Frédéric Lissalde, president and CEO, BorgWarner. “Akasol is an excellent strategic fit as BorgWarner seeks to continue to expand its electrification portfolio and capitalize on the profound industry shift towards electrification.”

Akasol designs and manufactures customizable battery packs for use in buses, commercial vehicles, rail and industrial vehicles and marine vessels. The company’s proprietary system technology is cell-agnostic, providing a low-cost, flexible solution to world-class customers, BorgWarner said. With more than 300 full-time employees and three facilities across Germany and one facility in the United States, Akasol believes it is well positioned to capitalize on the large market opportunity across Europe and North America.

Sven Schulz, the former CEO of Akasol, will continue in a consulting role with BorgWarner through the second quarter of the year.