Bosch plans JV with Ningbo Polaris

Automobile technology giant Bosch GmbH intends to establish a Joint Venture with China’s Ningbo Polaris Technology for developing and manufacturing electric hub motors for electric scooters (eScooters). Ningbo Polaris Technology specialises in eScooter hub motors sold under the POLTM brand.

A contract has already been signed between the two companies the details of which have not been revealed.

The JV will use Bosch’s Electric Drive systems technology for the eScooter market that is expected to grow at six per cent per year, going up to 46 million units by 2020.

"The establishment of this joint venture is not only a strong addition to Bosch Electrical Drives. The entry into the global market eScooter is a milestone for us,” said Udo Wolz, Chairman of the division at Bosch Electrical Drives.

The hub motor is the single biggest application in the field of electric motors for two-wheelers. Electrically assisted bicycles and hybrid and electric vehicles use hub motors for clean propulsion.

Ningbo Polaris sees great potential in the JV with Bosch in terms of improving quality, meeting the performance requirements of customers and developing innovative products using Bosch’s economies of scale.

Bosch Electric Drive produces power window mechanisms, power steering, steering columns, electronic braking systems, electric seats, sunroofs, water pumps and valves, engine cooling modules, vehicle air-conditioning systems and wiper systems.

The electric two-wheeler segment has great potential in urban markets as two-wheelers are not used regularly for very long journeys. This means that their limited driving range should not be a problem under normal circumstances.