CHERY Group and Bosch have signed a framework agreement to jointly develop and mass-produce a next-generation 48V vehicle electrical architecture, with CHERY’s premium EV brand EXEED set to be the first to adopt the technology. The deal was announced on April 24 during Auto China 2026 and the EXEED International Business Summit. It builds on a Memorandum of Understanding the two companies signed in October 2024 and 18 months of joint development work.
Highlights
- Power supply capacity raised to 15 kW, with overall system weight reduced by more than 10 kg (22 lb)
- Steer-by-wire motor response speed improved by more than 20%
- Independent redundant power supply design protects intelligent driving, braking, and steering under extreme conditions
- First deployment will be on EXEED flagship models; technology may extend to AiMOGA Robotics, EXEED’s robotics business
Why a 48V Architecture Matters Now
Modern intelligent vehicles place increasing electrical loads on conventional 12V systems. Onboard computing, intelligent cockpits, and steer-by-wire chassis all draw more current than legacy architectures were designed to deliver. According to Bosch and CHERY, traditional 12V systems are reaching their physical limits in power output, and the industry has reached broad consensus on moving to 48V.
A higher-voltage architecture allows the same power to flow through thinner, lighter wiring. That reduces harness mass and copper content, and it supports more demanding loads such as steer-by-wire actuators and high-performance compute platforms. The CHERY-Bosch system targets all three benefits at once.
Technical Claims
The jointly developed architecture is described as offering high power output, lightweight design, high integration, high reliability, and scalability. The headline figures provided by the partners include:
- Power supply capacity: 15 kW
- System weight reduction: more than 10 kg (22 lb)
- Steer-by-wire response: more than 20% faster
- Redundancy: independent backup power for safety-critical systems
The redundant power supply is positioned as essential for keeping intelligent driving, braking, and steering functions online during fault conditions — a requirement for higher levels of driver assistance and automation.
Partnership Context
CHERY and Bosch have collaborated for 25 years. The 48V program advanced through three milestones during its 18-month development phase: vehicle systems and prototype vehicle development, key component prototyping, and industrialization feasibility. EXEED, positioned at the top of CHERY Group’s brand portfolio, will lead deployment.
The companies also signaled possible applications beyond passenger cars. The architecture could be extended to robotics, including AiMOGA Robotics, which CHERY describes as a fast-growing robotics business under EXEED. Bosch separately deepened its strategic ties with NIO earlier this year, suggesting a broader push by the German supplier into China’s premium EV ecosystem.
What’s Not in the Release
CHERY and Bosch did not disclose specific EXEED model names, launch timing for the first vehicle to use the architecture, pricing impact, or volume targets. No third-party validation of the weight, power, or response-speed figures has been published. The 15 kW capacity claim is also not benchmarked against competing 48V systems already in production from suppliers such as Continental, Vitesco, or ZF.
The announcement coincided with CHERY’s broader Auto China 2026 push, which also included the debut of the Tiggo V transformable family SUV.
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