New electric drive
Bosch hopes for business worth billions
Automotive supplier Bosch is focusing on a new form of drive for electric cars. Series production of the so-called 'eAxle', a combination of motor, transmission and the associated electronics, is set to begin in 2019 at the latest, the company announced.
With this new type of electric drive,Bosch wants to reach small companies in particular that want to bring their own electric car onto the market quickly, but have so far shied away from the high costs involved in the lengthy development of the technology.
Managing Director Rolf Bulander is hoping for a "big economic success" and billions in sales with the e-axle. According to a spokesperson, potential customers include car manufacturers on the US West Coast or, in particular, in China, which are still new to the market and only produce in small series. Because the motor in an electric car can cover a much wider speed range, a greatly reduced gearbox is sufficient compared to a combustion engine. Theoretically, electric cars wouldn't even need one.
Bosch has been building individual e-car components for some time now. According to the company, 500,000 electric and hybrid vehicles are on the road with them worldwide. If Bosch has its way, the big players in the industry should also save themselves the trouble of developing their own systems in future and buy in the complete system - but then more tailored to their needs. Talks are already underway, it is said.
As such a move is likely to cost jobs at the car manufacturers, the works councils there are generally not very pleased. At Daimler, for example, there had recently been weeks of dispute over the future of the main plant in Untertürkheim until the company management gave assurances that batteries and drive systems for electric cars would be built there in-house in future.
You might also be interested in
Networked mobility / Smart Factory
Bosch strengthens presence in Mexico
German automotive supplier Bosch is investing over 100 million euros in a new plant in Mexico: a new smart factory for electronic components is to be built in the city of Celaya in the state of Guanajuato by 2019, creating 1,200 additional jobs.
read more...Tesla presents 'Semi' electric truck
After postponing the launch date several times, Tesla has now presented the brand's first electric truck. According to Elon Musk, the electric semitrailer truck should achieve a range of around 800 kilometers, even when fully charged and weighing 40...
read more...Making electric mobility suitable for long journeys
Under the name 'Ionity GmbH', the automotive industry wants to get down to business when it comes to e-car charging stations. The planned Europe-wide charging network is set to take shape by the end of 2017. The companies want to take away the...
read more...Business figures and outlook for SPS IPC Drives
The Lenze Group recently had every reason to celebrate: its 70th anniversary on the one hand, and a record turnover in the past financial year on the other. At SPS IPC Drives 2017 in November, a new generation of servo inverters will be launched...
read more...German manufacturers lead in patents
Time and again, German car manufacturers have been accused of missing out on trends. Even self-driving robot cars tend to be associated with American tech giants. However, most patents are held by German companies.
read more...New competition class at the start
115 teams from 24 nations brought the asphalt at the Hockenheimring to the boil at Formula Student Germany in August. The 'Driverless' competition class celebrated its premiere this year.
read more...MTCON and Sensor-Technik Wiedemann combine expertise
MTConnectivity power2pcb (MTCON) has a new shareholder: Sensor-Technik Wiedemann (STW) has held a stake in the power element manufacturer since the end of 2019.
read more...Electromobility / green electricity
Intelligent charging saves fossil fuels
Charging electric cars can overload the electricity grid and lead to fossil fuel power plants having to step in. This is unnecessary and leads to high costs for grid operators. BMW and Tennet want to change this.
read more...Service robotics at Conrad Electronic
Sales robots in use around the clock
To provide its customers with a 24/7 shopping experience in Berlin Schöneberg, Conrad Electronic has now deployed a sales robot. The robot 'Alex' is designed to provide a high-tech shopping experience. It comes from the manufacturer pi4_robotics.
read more...