FORVIA HELLA achieves world’s first series production of its 12V Lithium Battery Management System in China

• A precise monitoring and intelligent management hub for low-voltage energy
• Multi-level safety protection mechanisms to ensure system security
• One design for multiple electrical architectures
• Sustainable development concept of “use less, use better, use longer” runs through the product’s entire lifecycle

Shanghai, 6 August 2025. International automotive supplier FORVIA HELLA has successfully put its 12V lithium battery management system (BMS) into series production in China for the first time around the world. The 12V lithium BMS is designed to ensure the safe and efficient operation of 12V lithium batteries in new energy vehicles. This innovative solution not only significantly improves safety and scalability but also embodies the sustainable development concept of “use less, use better, use longer” throughout the product’s entire lifecycle. The product was jointly developed by FORVIA HELLA’s multinational R&D teams across China, Germany, Romania, and other regions. It will be supplied as a subsystem to EVE, a renowned Chinese battery supplier, and will ultimately be used in mainstream European luxury passenger vehicles.

“China has become a global leader and innovation hub in the new energy vehicle market, driving rapid technological advancement and industry transformation,” says May Deng, Senior Director of Technical Center Energy Management China, Business Group Electronics at FORVIA HELLA and General Manager of HELLA (Nanjing) Electronics Co. Ltd. “FORVIA HELLA consistently keeps pace with the Chinese market and is committed to supporting our customers in realizing their zero-emission goals. With innovative products and system solutions that cover every stage of electrification, we actively contribute to the sustainable transformation and high-quality development of China’s automotive industry. The world’s first mass production of FORVIA HELLA’s 12V lithium BMS in China is a testament to our R&D and intelligent manufacturing capabilities rooted in China, as well as our ability to respond swiftly to local market demands.”

A precise monitoring and intelligent management hub for low-voltage energy

FORVIA HELLA’s 12V lithium BMS is mainly designed for fully electric, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid vehicles. It primarily provides safe and highly efficient operation support to the vehicle 12V power-net. The system continuously monitors the battery’s voltage, current, and temperature in real time, accurately estimates the state of charge (SOC), and ensures stable, efficient operation of the low-voltage power supply through passive balancing management.

Multi-level safety protection mechanisms to ensure system security

The system incorporates multiple safety protection mechanisms, including overcharge, over-discharge protection, overcurrent protection, overtemperature, and insulation fault protection, etc., and complies with ASIL-B functional safety standards to effectively mitigate various safety risks. For instance, if a DCDC converter failure occurs, the BMS can intelligently switch to maintain power supply to the 12V network, providing redundant power support for critical functions such as intelligent assisted driving. This enhances the overall safety and reliability of the vehicle. More importantly, the BMS plays a central role in monitoring and controlling switching within the redundant power supply network, ensuring the battery delivers stable power to the vehicle.

One design for multiple electrical architectures

With its modular design and high scalability, the FORVIA HELLA 12V lithium BMS is compatible with various vehicle E/E architectures & platforms. Its voltage sampling module can be flexibly extended to 48V or high-voltage systems using a voltage divider circuit or isolated sampling chip, without the need to redesign the core circuit board. On the software side, the system features a layered architecture, allowing application layer algorithms to operate independently of the underlying hardware. Only parameter adjustments are needed for different architectures, greatly enhancing platform versatility and development efficiency. In addition, the system supports a configurable design, enabling users to dynamically adjust protection thresholds, balancing current, and communication rates via calibration tools, thus adapting flexibly to the electrical characteristics of different vehicle models. This “universal design” philosophy not only aligns with the platformization and modularization trends of new energy vehicles, but also provides technical assurance for upgrading low-voltage onboard networks from 12V to 48V, significantly reducing development and integration costs for OEMs.

Sustainable development concept of “use less, use better, use longer” runs through the product’s entire lifecycle

As a core system component of 12V lithium batteries, FORVIA HELLA’s 12V lithium BMS has embodied the sustainable development concept of “using less, using better, using longer” from the outset of its design. This BMS enables 12V lithium batteries to fully realize their functions and performance, allowing them to replace lead-acid batteries and thereby reduce reliance on rare metals and hazardous substances. It is fully compliant with Europe’s upcoming lead ban, supporting automakers in achieving sustainable transformation and meeting global market compliance standards. Functionally, the BMS enhances the energy efficiency and endurance of 12V lithium batteries. During production, the system utilizes highly automated and intelligent local manufacturing processes, with each product undergoing rigorous quality inspections to ensure exceptional durability and consistency. With a service life of up to 15 years, the product significantly reduces maintenance and replacement costs over its lifecycle.

“This milestone achievement not only lays a solid foundation for the development of subsequent domestic projects but also further consolidates FORVIA HELLA’s leading position in the global electrification field”, added by May Deng.