BorgWarner announces order from BMW

BorgWarner has received an order from BMW for its high-voltage coolant heater. The component from the US supplier will be installed in BMW’s new i4 and iX electric vehicle models.

With such supplier announcements, it is usual for the deal to be made public only after production and deliveries have begun. BMW introduced the two electric vehicle models last year and has been delivering the i4 and iX to customers since the end of November. As delivery times continue to increase, BMW has already announced the introduction of a Saturday shift for the i4 at the Munich plant.

The HVCH (High-Voltage Coolant Heater) from BorgWarner regulates the interior heating and takes over the thermal management of the battery – and is thus an important component for the charging behaviour of the vehicles at lower outside temperatures. It is available in power variants from 3 to 10 kW for application ranges between 250 and 500 V. The design, with a compact housing size and lower weight, is intended to make it easier for OEMs to integrate into their vehicles.

As BorgWarner announces, the coolant heater has a high thermal power density and enables fast response times during heating due to its low thermal mass and high efficiency. The main component of the HVCH are thick-film heating elements (TFE) made of stainless steel, which are housed in a die-cast aluminium casing. This is said to provide electromagnetic shielding and withstand thermal shock, vibration and mechanical stress, resulting in longer product life, according to the manufacturer.

“For more than 20 years we have successfully cooperated with the BMW Group, providing them with numerous solutions for combustion-powered vehicles,” said Joe Fadool, president and general manager, BorgWarner Emissions, Thermal and Turbo Systems. “We are especially pleased to also support their line of premium electric vehicles, contributing to the advancement of future mobility and a cleaner environment.”

BMW is not the first customer for the HVCH: Geely’s premium EV subsidiary brand Zeekr also reportedly relies on high-voltage coolant boosters from BorgWarner in its debut electric vehicle, the Zeekr 001.

borgwarner.com (PDF)