Marelli, a leading automotive supplier, has secured a significant contract from a major global carmaker to provide the Battery Thermal Plate (BTP) for future Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The BTP is a crucial technology for thermal energy management in electric vehicles, and Marelli has developed and will produce this solution in-house.
The supply will commence in 2024, with approximately 5 million units expected to be delivered over the contract period. The agreement covers various vehicle platforms and segments for the Chinese, North American, and European markets, as stated in the company’s media release.
This project is the result of Marelli’s global development efforts, leveraging its worldwide R&D centers. The production will be strategically located in China, Mexico, and Romania.
“We are proud of this important assignment, which further strengthens our collaboration with global carmakers on technologies that are key to optimizing thermal energy management of vehicles,” said Shuji Kobayashi, President of Marelli’s Green Technology Solutions business. “Through our solid experience and comprehensive portfolio, we support OEMs in achieving the most efficient solutions for electric, hybrid, and internal combustion engine vehicles, adapting to their specific needs to co-create with our customers their vehicles of tomorrow.”
Effective thermal management of the battery is essential to ensure performance and efficiency in fully electric vehicles, where the battery is the sole energy source. To achieve maximum efficiency, the battery must remain within a specific optimal temperature range under all external temperature conditions (hot/cold), while meeting the needs of the cabin and propulsion systems.
Marelli’s Battery Thermal Plate utilises the ‘Dot Dimples’ design, which guarantees optimised heat exchange. Thanks to specific thermal flow paths, this solution stabilizes the temperature of the battery cells and provides excellent temperature uniformity.
The solution also allows for an extremely flat product that requires limited space, ensuring easy integration and assembly within the vehicle. The production technologies and materials used for this solution guarantee high durability and quality.
Marelli’s in-house testing laboratories and simulation capabilities enable the company to quickly adapt the dimple design technology to the needs of each customer, accommodating different types of batteries and geometries. The solution is highly customizable, ranging from small to extra-large sizes.
In addition to the Battery Thermal Plate, Marelli offers a complete range of solutions for controlling, managing, and optimizing the heat balance of all vehicle systems, thanks to its proven expertise in key heat exchange technologies for different types of propulsion systems.