Bosch launches 48V battery project in China

German automotive components supplier Bosch has launched a 48-volt battery project in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, the city government announced Thursday. Construction of the workshops and facilities has started, according to local officials. The 48-volt batteries are expected to be widely used in both electric and fuel vehicles, according to Bosch Automotive Systems (Wuxi) Co Ltd, the subsidiary company Bosch set up in 2015 which is running the project. 

The project is expected to generate revenue of up to 8.7 billion yuan ($1.38 billion) annually after being put into operation in 2021. Bosch will continue supplying powertrain systems in China to help promote the electrification of China's auto industry and achieve zero-emissions, said an executive with Bosch's Powertrain Solutions Division. Bosch signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation with the Wuxi government last year. The two sides vowed to work together on developing automotive batteries and promoting electrification of the automobile industry.

Source: Xinhua Finance Agency LINK

Bosch will not enter battery cell production for EVs

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Robert Bosch [ROBG.UL], the world's biggest automotive supplier, has decided against producing its own battery cells, saying the billions of euros of investment needed was too risky.

The decision is a blow to European politicians and car manufacturers who have called for companies to band together to create a regional battery cell producer to compete with Asian players such as Samsung and Panasonic.

"Given dynamic external market factors that can only be predicted with difficulty, it is unclear whether this investment would pay off for Bosch, and when," Bosch said in a statement on Wednesday.

Bosch had said it would only consider making battery cells if there was a chance it could capture a fifth of that market by 2030, a move it said would require about 20 billion euros (£17.7 billion) of investment to create 200 gigawatt hours of capacity.

"In the overall interest of the company, such an investment is not justifiable," Rolf Bulander, head of mobility solutions said on a conference call. "For new entrants, market conditions are more than challenging."

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