Schaeffler and CATL to deepen battery management collaboration
Schaeffler and CATL are expanding their collaboration in electromobility. Together, they aim to develop battery management systems and power electronics solutions, primarily for the European market. The starting point is an already secured customer project.
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.
“Thanks to our established footprint in Europe, Schaeffler offers extensive expertise in local R&D, manufacturing, market entry and regulatory compliance, enabling us to deliver end-to-end support for project rollouts,” saidThomas Stierle, Member of the Board for E-Mobility at Schaeffler AG, adding that the goal is to build a competitive portfolio for Europe and other markets together with CATL.
Exploring AI integration in battery management
The second area of development focuses on the aforementioned ‘X-in-1’ boxes. The specific components to be integrated and the exact number of functions covered by X are not detailed in the announcement; however, Schaeffler and CATL refer to a close integration of high-voltage electronics and electromechanical systems. Such highly integrated solutions can generally reduce space requirements, cabling, and interfaces in the electric powertrain.
Looking ahead, the cooperation may extend beyond hardware. CATL has explicitly mentioned cloud computing and artificial intelligence as technologies whose application in battery management will be jointly explored.
This collaboration is particularly significant in light of the increasing localisation of European supply chains. Schaeffler can leverage its existing local development and production structures, while CATL has significantly expanded its presence in Europe in recent years and aims to tailor its battery technologies more closely to the demands of the local market. The partnership targets both European manufacturers and Chinese automakers with international expansion plans.
In parallel, CATL is working on the next generation of its battery technology. The battery manufacturer recently announced plans to begin pilot production of solid-state cells in 2027. However, CATL CEO Robin Zeng does not expect volume production before 2030.