Bosch and Mitsubishi tech supports electric truck battery swapping

Electric trucks in Chizhou, China can now have their battery packs swapped or recharged within minutes, thanks to the help of a joint venture between Bosch and Mitsubishi Corporation.

The new Battery as a Service (BaaS) solution is being deployed by Shanghai Lingzhou Technology Co. Ltd., whose new energy service facility currently services more than 100 electric trucks daily.

Almost 30 per cent of all heavy-duty trucks sold last year in China were electric, with this number expected to reach over 50 per cent by 2030.

With electric vehicle fleet operators in mind, Bosch says its software calculates the exact ‘state of health’ of the drive battery, forecasts its progression, and helps to optimise charging.

“With this service, Bosch and Mitsubishi Corporation can create real added value for fleets,” said Thomas Pauer, president of the Bosch Power Solutions division. “Although the state of health can decline due to aging and many charging cycles, our solution allows fleet operators to keep an eye on the battery condition of their vehicles – a decisive criterion for the everyday suitability and total cost of ownership of a fleet.”

“Our service hits a local nerve: We support battery-electric vehicles in the fleet business,” added Qian Yang, general manager of the joint venture’s local subsidiary in China. “This holistic approach accelerates the electrification of fleets and optimises the entire battery lifecycle. The combined expertise of Mitsubishi and Bosch is a perfect match for our customers.”