German automotive supplier Schaeffler and Chinese battery manufacturer CATL have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on the joint development of battery management systems (BMS) for EVs, as well as so-called ‘X-in-1’ Integrated PowerBox (IPB) solutions. The latter aim to consolidate various components of high-voltage electronics and electromechanical systems into a single unit.
This collaboration has not come out of nowhere: according to Schaeffler, the letter of intent builds on an existing customer project that has already been secured. However, the identity of the client and the potential timeline for series production remain undisclosed for now. In the long term, the partnership is expected to expand beyond Europe to additional international markets.
In developing the BMS, the companies plan to combine their expertise across the battery value chain. Schaeffler, according to its own statements, covers hardware and software development, system integration, functional safety, as well as testing and validation, and has corresponding manufacturing capacities in Europe. CATL contributes its experience with battery cells and systems, battery algorithms, and the industrialisation of large volumes. The resulting battery management systems will be specifically tailored to the requirements of European automotive manufacturers.
