BorgWarner has announced it has secured its first 48V electric cross differential (eXD) programme with a leading Chinese original equipment manufacturer (OEM), marking a significant milestone in the company's push to broaden its electric vehicle technology portfolio.
The eXD system is designed to integrate directly with a customer's 48V electrical and electronic architecture — a growing standard in the electric vehicle sector that offers benefits including improved energy efficiency, reduced wiring and component costs, and support for higher-power applications.
At its core, the technology dynamically controls torque distribution between a vehicle's wheels, adjusting in real time to driving conditions. On dry roads, the system is designed to transfer more torque to outer wheels during cornering to improve grip and handling. In low-friction conditions — such as ice, snow, or mud — it detects wheel slip and reallocates drive force to wheels with better traction, maintaining vehicle stability and control.
Isabelle McKenzie, Vice President of BorgWarner and President and General Manager of Drivetrain and Morse Systems, said the award demonstrated the company's ability to adapt established technology to new electrical standards. She said the 48V architecture was expected to improve energy utilisation, system efficiency, and reliability for electric vehicle users.
The programme represents BorgWarner's first 48V eXD application anywhere in its global portfolio, and comes as the broader electric vehicle market continues a shift toward higher-voltage architectures that balance performance demands with efficiency goals.
BorgWarner, which has operated in the automotive supply industry for more than 130 years, did not disclose the name of the Chinese OEM or the financial terms of the contract.