Marelli Electric Powertrain Strasbourg, the joint venture between Marelli and Punch Motive International, has been awarded its first e-axle contract with a major worldwide OEM.
The joint venture between Marelli, which has a technical center in Farmington Hills, and Punch was established in May 2021. The e-axle will be developed, tested, and manufactured by Marelli Electric Powertrain Strasbourg and the start of production is planned for 2024.
Combining the expertise of the two partners, the JV company — which is majority owned by Marelli — develops and assembles optimized integrated e-axle systems for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), or plug-in hybrid cars, for Europe and the Americas.
The e-axle system will be compatible with functional safety requirements, such as ASIL–D (Automotive Safety Integrity Level D). It will be compact, efficient, and offer high-performance, according to the company. Another feature is its ability to ensure an optimal drivability to BEVs, through functions such as the active torque vectoring, that brings agility to the driving.
“This JV was created to address a gap in the EV portfolio of the Marelli Vehicle Electrification Division,” says Hannes Prenn, president of Marelli’s Vehicle Electrification division. “To achieve such a significant award so soon after its formation demonstrates perfectly the rationale for establishing the business.
“The focus on e-axles for full electrification systems is a key element in the Marelli Vehicle Electrification strategy. Coupled with our established track record in electric powertrain and thermal management, it frames a comprehensive approach that enables the efficient control of the energy flow in vehicles of today and tomorrow.”
As a key system for electric vehicles, the e-axle is a core technology within Marelli’s e-mobility growth strategy. With the accelerating shift toward e-mobility, Marelli´s goal is to expand its integrated offering as a full system provider for vehicle electrification, including e-motors, inverters, software, and battery management solutions. Thermal management also plays a major role. Reducing power dissipation and optimizing cooling are of paramount importance for lifespan and efficiency gains.
