HELLA expands product range for electromobility and launches low-voltage battery management system on the market

Lippstadt, 16 February 2021. Electromobility continues to gain momentum worldwide. Both fully electric vehicles and partially electrified drive types, such as mild hybrids, are forecast to see above-average growth over the coming years. One of the most essential technologies for these is the lithium-ion battery. Also battery management systems from HELLA ensure that they function safely and reliably. HELLA launched a high-voltage battery management system for electric vehicles as well as full and plug-in hybrids in as early as 2016. Now, the international automotive supplier is expanding its product range to include another key technology for electromobility and is launching the company's first 48-volt battery management system in series production in summer 2024.

Together with a Chinese cell producer, a German premium original equipment manufacturer is being supplied with battery packs consisting of battery cells and the associated battery management system from HELLA. HELLA's high level of expertise in high-voltage battery electronics lays the foundation for the development of the 48-volt battery management system. This expertise has now been transferred specially to the requirements of mild hybrids. Therefore, HELLA's 48-volt battery management system provides essential help in implementing vital mild hybrid functions that reduce CO₂. These include, in particular, energy recovery during braking (recuperation), stronger acceleration (boosting) and drifting in idle with the engine switched off (sailing).

"The future belongs to electromobility. Within just a few years, more than every second vehicle on the market will be partly or fully electrified," says Björn Twiehaus, who is jointly responsible for the Electronics division on the HELLA Management Board. "A vehicle's batteries are the centrepiece of electromobility. It is our clear goal to support car manufacturers at all stages of developing electrification. We are making another important contribution with our new battery management systems, which we have designed specifically for low-voltage applications."

HELLA is also developing a battery management system for 12-volt applications in the low voltage field. In this context, the company plans to work with another cell manufacturer to produce a battery pack as well. The 12-volt battery management system can be used on electric vehicles. Here, as well as supplying quiescent current when stationary or parked, it also offers a redundant energy supply. The system can also be installed in vehicles with classic internal combustion engines, where it can, for example, pave the way for a technical solution for the potential lead-acid battery ban.