BorgWarner reveals a partnership with a major North American Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to provide its advanced bi-directional 800V Onboard Charger (OBC) for the carmaker’s elite battery electric vehicle (BEV) models. This latest OBC technology incorporates silicon carbide (SiC) power switches, enabling enhanced efficiency and optimized power density. Notably, production is set to commence in January 2027.
Dr. Stefan Demmerle, President and General Manager of BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems, expressed his excitement, “This collaboration represents a significant milestone, marking BorgWarner’s first onboard charger venture in North America.” He added that the company’s prowess in power electronics and its innovative 800-volt SiC technology paves the way for improved charging capabilities and efficiency.
Key Points
- BorgWarner’s OBC will be used on premium BEV platforms by a major North American OEM.
- The technology uses silicon carbide (SiC) for better efficiency and higher power density.
- Power capabilities range from 19.2kW single-phase to 22kW three-phase operation.
- The 19.2kW is unique to the U.S., employing two power lines for a single-phase grid connection.
- The 22kW model uses a three-phase grid connection, designed for the European market.
- The OBC comes with a bi-directional vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature, allowing the vehicle’s battery to charge external devices – a growing demand in the industry.
- Both the hardware and software components of the charger are BorgWarner’s creations.
Bottom Line
BorgWarner’s latest partnership signifies its major footprint in North America’s electric vehicle charging solutions. With unique features and capabilities tailored to different markets, BorgWarner’s OBC promises an efficient and adaptable solution to cater to diverse grid configurations across the globe. The introduction of a bi-directional V2L feature further cements the charger’s position as a versatile and user-centric product in the market.
