Fan fare for electric trucks
BorgWarner has been selected by a major European commercial vehicle manufacturer to provide its eFan system for battery-powered long-haul road transport vehicles.
This is the company’s first business win for the high-voltage (HV) eFan system, which is tailored to the customer’s individual needs.
It will be fitted to vehicles for the European market, with production expected to commence in late 2024.
Joe Fadool, president and general manager at BorgWarner Emissions, Thermal and Turbo Systems said: “We are a long-standing technology partner of this customer and this business win signals continued confidence in BorgWarner’s thermal management expertise.
“Vehicle manufacturers face technically challenging emissions goals that are driving a transition from fossil-fuelled combustion engines toward CO2-neutral drivetrains across transportation segments.
“Our eFan system will perform a key role in cooling strategies for high-voltage electrified vehicles.”
New generations of fully electric heavy-duty trucks will require dedicated high-voltage thermal management solutions like the eFan system to cool components such as the motor, battery and electronics.
BorgWarner has specifically optimised its fan design for performance and efficiency using computational fluid dynamics.
The HV eFan is driven by a robust electric motor, which is powered by the vehicle’s electrical system via an inverter. The power density of the motor is very high, rated at 40kW output with compact dimensions. Similarly, it is optimized for speeds below 3000 rpm.
The electric motor is liquid-cooled, and the entire package is completely encapsulated for reliable long-term operation.
The system has a wide operating range from less than 650 volts up to 850 volts, ensuring compatibility with a variety of high-voltage commercial vehicle electrical systems.
BorgWarner cites its significant experience in developing system simulation, design and test capabilities to meet the needs of global customers while also improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.
“With this new HV eFan solution, BorgWarner is supporting OEMs by helping them comply with increasingly strict emission regulations for heavy duty vehicle fleets in Europe,” said the company.
