FENTON, Mich. — Webasto exhibited elements of a new modular battery system, thermal management and charging solutions in Ford Motor Company’s booth recently at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, it was announced this week. Webasto won Ford’s 2019 Best of Show Stand Award for Outstanding Achievement in Design for Mustang Lithium, a one-off battery-electric prototype with 1,000 ft.-lbs. of torque and over 900 horsepower.
Webasto, which was founded in 1901, is one of the top 100 global automotive suppliers. The company continues to stake a claim in the rapidly expanding e-mobility segment of the commercial vehicle and automotive marketplace.
“Webasto first entered the electric vehicle market in 2014 with the high voltage heater, as part of its strategic plan to serve its OEM customers as they moved more decisively into the e-mobility space,” said Mark Denny, president and CEO of Webasto Customized Solutions in North America.
Denny added, “Our expansion into battery systems, battery testing equipment, thermal management and charging systems means that both small and large manufacturers now have a respected supplier with decades of experience working within the complex vehicle manufacturing environment, as well as with dealers across North America, Europe and China.”
The Webasto CV standard battery system is designed for total scalability and configuration flexibility. Each battery pack has 35 kWh of energy and up to 10 packs can be used for a combined 350 kWh.
With 400V and 800V versions available, the system can be easily configured via the vehicle interface box (VIB), which is the master battery management system and power distribution unit. It is truly a plug-and-play system that reduces development time and cost for the vehicle manufacturer.
Within the battery pack, the self-contained modules also include desiccant cartridges that reduce condensation, integrated thermal runaway detection sensors and state-of-the-art pressure equalization monitors for added safety. Their compact, energy-dense format makes the battery packs easy for engineers to configure for use on virtually any vehicle platform.
Using the Mustang Lithium to show their capabilities of both designing custom energy storage solutions and supplying off-the-shelf standard battery packs, Webasto set the stage for today’s announcement that its commercial vehicle (CV) Standard Battery System is available in North America. With this modular battery system, Webasto meets the requirements of several commercial vehicle manufacturers to have a cost-efficient solution, even for small quantities.
Thermal Management Systems
Conditioning the battery is essential for battery life and health. Webasto offers both off-the-shelf solutions for the CV Standard Battery and custom developments for OEM projects. Using both active and passive cooling, electric fluid heating and heat pump configurations, the Webasto thermal management keeps battery systems in optimum operating temperatures, which have a positive effect on performance and range.
Next-generation charging stations and portable vehicle chargers
At the Mustang Lithium display, Webasto also featured its TurboDX Level-2 charging station. The charging unit that was shown connected to the Mustang Lithium is compatible with both plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The unit is perfect for home, business and multi-unit dwelling applications.
The Webasto charging solution features a slim, compact design, a durable aluminum rear enclosure and a quick-read charging status indicator.
Webasto also offers the TurboCord portable vehicle charger. The TurboCord lets users take their charger with them wherever they go. It can be plugged directly into any standard 120-volt electrical outlet, or even a 240V outlet for quicker charge times, allowing total charging flexibility and freedom.
“With the introduction of our new modular battery system, thermal management and charging technologies, Webasto has demonstrated its commitment to vertically integrate itself within the North American commercial vehicle and automotive e-mobility marketplace,” Denny said.
About Webasto
The Webasto Group is a global innovative systems partner to almost all automobile manufacturers and among the top 100 suppliers in this industry sector. The company’s product portfolio comprises a broad range of roof and heating systems for every type of vehicle and all drive types, as well as battery systems and charging solutions.
Webasto also has a strong position in the aftermarket, providing dealers and end customers with customized solutions and services for thermo management and electromobility. In 2018, Webasto generated sales of 3.4 billion euros and had over 13,000 employees at more than 50 locations (with over 30 of these being manufacturing plants). The headquarters of Webasto is at Stockdorf near Munich (Germany). www.webasto.com / www.twitter.com/WebastoGroup
