BorgWarner has announced that it is entering into a partnership with ZEEKR Intelligent Technology, owned by Geely Holding, to supply its advanced High-voltage Coolant Heater (HVCH) to the new ZEEKR 001 electric sedan.
The new ZEEKR 001 equipped with BorgWarner's HVCH is scheduled to start production in the second half of 2021.
According to BorgWarner, the HVCH technology was developed to meet the demand for fast-acting solutions as the thermal management systems of vehicles increasingly become decoupled from the internal combustion engine. The company said it is happening permanently in electric vehicles (EVs) and for longer parts of the drive cycle in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). By offering consistent temperature distribution inside the battery pack and its cells, the coolant heaters can improve battery energy performance in EVs and HEVs. In addition, it allows comfortable cabin temperatures to be generated in a short time, enabling a better driving and passenger experience.
With high thermal power density and fast response time due to their low thermal mass, these heaters also extend the pure electric driving range as they use less power from the battery, the company said.
The HVCH uses the latest thick film element (TFE) technology, as they are immersed in coolant so that power losses are minimised. Moreover, the technology allows for direct temperature sensing. The HVCH is available in two versions – single plate and dual plate – both integrated into robust aluminium housings that provide improved electromagnetic shielding. Suitable for applications with supply voltages between 180 and 800 volts, the HVCH offers a power range of three to 10 kW. As per the company's statement, the devices are protected from overheating, as the system automatically switches off when a failure occurs.