Bosch will continue to build battery cells for electric cars in the future. (Image: Bosch)
Bosch Despite the commitment in the electromobility decided against its own battery cell production. The company also wants to drive back or sell the research for better rechargeable battery cells.
The automotive supplier Bosch does not want to build its own battery cells, but focuses on the production of key components of the electric drive such as the electric motor, power electronics and battery systems. The decision has economic reasons, said Rolf Bulander, Managing Director of Robert Bosch GmbH and Chairman of the Mobility Solutions Division,
According to Bosch, the initial investment in competitive and market-relevant cell production alone amounts to around 20 billion euros. This would be too risky, especially as operating costs in the billions would come to it. The battery is the heart of an electric car: it largely decides the range, the charging time and the durability of the vehicles. However, Bosch is developing solutions for the charging infrastructure.
The lithium-ion technology joint venture Lithium Energy and Power (LEAP) is being abandoned. Seeo, a solid-state cell technology research company, Bosch bought only at the end of 2015, should be sold. Seeo developed Drylyte, a lithium solid-state battery that contains no liquids or gels. Instead, the electrolyte is made of solid polymers, which are less prone to fire and lighter than conventional lithium-ion batteries and store more energy. However, these batteries are not ready for market yet.