The EV industry is evolving rapidly thanks to great innovation, cutting-edge technology, and investors who are determined to reshape the competitive landscape. Tesla has for many years dominated the market due to their financial power, cutting-edge battery technology, and vertically integrated production strategy. However, their dominance is about to be disrupted as a new challenger emerges.
Schaeffler, a German automotive and industrial supplier, is taking the industry by storm, making bold moves in EV efficiency, battery technology, and thermal management. Schaeffler is using high-efficiency bearings, intelligent thermal management systems, and cutting-edge powertrain solutions to address some of the biggest concerns of EV drivers such as battery longevity, energy efficiency, and range anxiety. So how is Schaeffler achieving these milestones?
Solving range anxiety among drivers using high-efficiency Components
Range anxiety is one of the biggest challenges for EV cars, which causes drivers to fear that a vehicle might lack enough battery life to reach its destination. While other automakers have majored in improving batteries, Schaeffler has taken a different approach by focusing on reducing losses throughout the vehicle.
They have achieved this by using high-efficiency bearings on wheels and transmission to reduce power lost through frictional losses by 67%, which translates to saving over 200 watts of energy. In real-world driving, saving 200 watts of energy is an additional 20 kilometers of range in a fully charged electric SUV.
Schaeffler has also developed advanced transmission bearings that save an additional 50 watts, which is sufficient to power comfort features like mirrors, steering wheels, and heated seats without minimizing range. The company has already made these solutions ready for automakers, making it a key player in the enhancement of EV performance.
Disrupting EV powertrains with Integrated Thermal Management
Schaeffler has developed revolutionary thermal management systems to solve a major barrier in EV adoption, which is their energy efficiency in extreme temperatures. EV vehicles have seen their batteries getting drained significantly by climate control systems like heating, especially during the winter.
To develop this integrated thermal management system, Schaeffler’s 4in1 e-axle integrates transmission, power electronics, transmission, and thermal management into one compact unit. Doing so eliminates unnecessary cables and hoses, reducing weight and therefore improving energy efficiency. This enhancement adds another 50 kilometers in range per charge compared to conventional setups.
Additionally, Schaeffler has introduced a new type of heat pump that recycles waste heat from power electronics, motors, and batteries, thus reducing the power needed for heating. Tests have shown that this heat pump can improve EV range by 17% in winter conditions, giving the company a huge advantage in cold-weather markets that have caused major problems for other automakers.
Schaeffler’s Push into Battery Innovation
While Tesla has made headlines with its 4680 lithium-ion battery cells that enable it to store more energy and handle more heat, Schaeffler is betting on solid-state batteries that use a solid electrolyte to eliminate overheating and limited lifespan. Despite the heavy cost associated with the mass production of solid-state batteries, Schaeffler is in a strong position to do so at a competitive cost. If successful, this could disrupt Tesla’s reliance on lithium-ion technology.
Strategic Partnerships and Industry Influence
Schaeffler has secured collaborations with Honda, Ohio State University, and leading OEMs which have helped it to accelerate EV innovation and refine its battery, drivetrain, and efficiency technologies. Unlike Tesla, which has for long operated independently, Schaeffler has been able to integrate its solutions across multiple brands, making its impact more popular.
What This Means for Tesla and the EV Industry
If Schaeffler’s solid-state batteries succeed, Tesla may have to fast-track the manufacture of its solid-state batteries to avoid falling behind. Other automakers could also be forced to come up with more innovations to respond to Schaeffler’s success, which could benefit the EV industry at large.
In general, Schaeffler’s disruptive technology is reshaping the EV landscape challenging other automakers to innovate advanced efficiency solutions. It is also providing solutions to EV carmakers which if implemented will help them to manufacture cars that cover more range and that are durable even during the winter.