BorgWarner has secured a production program for a 48-V electric cross differential (eXD) with a Chinese original equipment manufacturer. The system is integrated into the customer’s 48-V electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture and represents BorgWarner’s first 48-V eXD application within its global portfolio.
The award reflects broader industry movement toward 48-V architectures, which are being adopted to improve electrical efficiency while managing system complexity and cost.
Compared to traditional 12-V systems, 48-V architectures enable higher power delivery with reduced current, which can lower conductor size requirements and improve overall electrical efficiency. These characteristics are relevant across multiple global markets as vehicle electrification strategies evolve.
48-V architecture and torque management
The electric cross differential is designed to actively manage torque distribution between left and right wheels. By dynamically adjusting slip control based on real-time vehicle inputs, the system supports traction and stability under varying driving conditions.
In higher-friction environments, increased grip allows greater torque transfer to the outer wheels during cornering. In low-friction conditions such as snow, ice, or mud, the system detects wheel slip and limits torque to slipping wheels, reallocating drive force to improve stability.
For EV platforms, integration with the vehicle’s E/E architecture is central to system performance. The 48-V configuration allows the eXD to operate within a higher-efficiency electrical framework while aligning with evolving zonal and domain-based vehicle architectures increasingly used in global markets.
Broader relevance
Although the current program is with a Chinese OEM, 48-V subsystems and integrated torque management solutions are applicable to electrified vehicle platforms in multiple regions, including North America, where manufacturers continue to evaluate cost-efficient electrification strategies and scalable drivetrain architectures.
This program marks BorgWarner’s first 48-V eXD application and reflects continued development of electrified drivetrain and torque management technologies for EV platforms.
Filed Under: Technology News