Hero Vida e-powertrain supplier Brose to display EV expertise, offer test rides at IAA Mobility 2023

Automotive supplier Brose, which is now firmly plugged into the big global business opportunity that the fast-growing electric mobility segment presents, is to showcase its latest product portfolio at IAA Mobility 2023 next month.

IAA Mobility, the world’s leading platform for mobility, sustainability and technology, is to be held in Munich from September 5-10, 2023 where Brose (located at Open Space / Booth LS400) will showcase its latest systems and technologies for automobiles and two-wheelers. ­­

Brose has successfully transferred its expertise from the development and production of electric motors for the automotive industry to the field of micromobility. At the IAA 2023, e-scooters, equipped with Brose drives, will be available for test rides for the first time in Europe.

Visitors to the trade fair can test e-bikes with Brose drives on two test tracks (in the English Garden) as well as Hero MotoCorp's Vida electric scooter with Brose drive on predefined routes through the city centre.

Since 2022, Brose has been manufacturing motors, control units and power electronics for Hero MotoCorp, which is one of the largest two-wheeler producers in the world and launched the Vida in India in October 2022. The Brose Group had first showcased its EV components at the IAA Mobility 2021. Brose India began manufacturing the motor, vehicle control unit and power electronics at its Pune plant early in 2022.

It may be recollected that on August 1, 2021, Autocar Professional had broken the news about Brose supplying its e-powertrain to an Indian OEM. 

In May 2023, the Hero Vida set a new Guinness World Record for the ‘The greatest distance on an electric scooter in 24 hours by a team in relay’.  Six riders – three from Autocar India and three from Hero MotoCorp’s vehicle validation team – covered a distance of 1,780km astride the Vida V1 Pro electric scooter in a span of 24 hours, beating the previous Guinness World Records title by 350km. The new world record was set at Hero MotoCorp’s Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur, showcasing the rock-solid reliability of the Vida V1 Pro electric scooter and its e-powertrain under extreme conditions.

Brose, which is a leading supplier to e-bikes, will also display its product portfolio for this segment including a new generation of powerful drives for mountain bikes and cargo bikes, a high-performance battery, displays with different functionality and the Brose app. With Drive3 Peak, Concept Drive and the Battery 48V, which are being presented for the first time this year, Brose is introducing a new system: By changing the operating voltage from 36 volts to the automotive standard 48 volts, thermal development is reduced significantly while performance remains the same.

Brose show car with smart comfort functions

In the future, cars will adapt more flexibly to users' needs thanks to intelligent functions and a variable interior concept. Brose will be demonstrating how this could work using a near-series vehicle. When approaching, the car recognises its driver, welcomes them with projections in the side windows and automatically opens the side door after a gesture.

Drive yourself, work or relax while driving – depending on passengers’ needs, the electronically controlled seats, screens and storage areas automatically coordinate their respective positions and the air flow from the AC system adjusts accordingly. The rear seat converts into two individual reclining seats for more comfort or is moved to save space to create a maximum cargo space. To make this mobility experience possible, Brose has combined its mechatronic know-how with sensor technology and software developed in-house.

Focus on sustainability

As per Brose, it was the first manufacturer to develop a serial remanufacturing process for used e-bike drives. This saves resources and at least 21 kilograms of CO2 equivalents compared to the production of a new series drive. Brose achieves further emission reductions through lightweight construction and efficient systems in the vehicle. The company itself aims to become completely CO2 neutral by 2039; an important interim goal on this path is the carbon neutral operation of all locations by 2025. In addition, Brose involves the supply chain and requires suppliers to comply with high standards.

The Brose Group currently supplies to around 80 automotive brands globally (including Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hero MotoCorp in India), over 40 suppliers and 50 electric two-wheeler manufacturers. As per the company, every second new car worldwide is equipped with at least one Brose product. Including the JV Brose Sitech, the Group employs around 32,000 people at 69 locations in 25 countries including India. The German company, which is the fourth largest, family-owned automotive supplier in the world, generated sales of 7.5 billion euros (Rs 65,910 crore) in 2022.

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