Eaton is addressing increasing demand for high-voltage electrified vehicle technologies with the creation of its new eMobility business.
With a focus on intelligent power electronics, power systems and advanced power distribution and circuit protection, Eaton says eMobility is poised to capitalize on a global vehicle electrification market projected to grow to 15 million pure battery-electric vehicles and another 30 million hybrids, from mild to plug-in, by 2030.
eMobility was formed by combining products, expertise and global manufacturing capabilities from Eaton’s Electrical and Vehicle businesses. Eaton says it plans to invest more than $500 million over the next five years to develop new products and technologies, including smart diagnostic technologies, intelligent power electronics and predictive health monitoring, to further strengthen its global capabilities and deliver intelligent electrification products and solutions to passenger car, commercial vehicle and off-highway customers.
The company says it has more than 15 years of expertise in developing hybrid systems with more than 15,000 HEV and PHEV systems on the road in the U.S., Europe, China and other Asia-Pacific markets. Eaton also has high-voltage, fast-acting fuses in nearly 50 percent of global electrified cars, and power electronics on a leading European battery-electric vehicle platform.
“Our understanding of the unique needs of vehicle customers, along with our experience in transmissions and power electronics in the hybrid space, gives us a distinct advantage versus other suppliers,” says Jeff Lowinger, president, eMobility. “Customers using Eaton hybrid systems have collectively accumulated an estimated 2 billion miles of clean, reliable service.”
As a global supplier, Eaton also claims to have extensive knowledge of vehicle dynamics and safety standards, and experience managing high-voltage power distribution, circuit protection and advanced electric power quality systems.
The company says eMobility focuses on three primary areas for both automotive and commercial vehicle customers: intelligent power electronics, power systems, and advanced power distribution and circuit protection. The power distribution and protection category includes fuses, supercapacitors and power distribution units (PDUs), while converters and on-board chargers fall under the power electronics umbrella. Eaton says power systems include electric vehicle (EV) transmissions for a variety of medium- and heavy-duty applications, as well as a 48-volt regenerative accessory drive system for heavy-duty trucks.
