Eberspächer introduces high-strength steel for battery enclosures

Purem by Eberspächer presents its newly developed battery enclosure made of high-strength steel. A concept study demonstrates its potential for use in the European market in terms of cost, sustainability, and safety.

Battery enclosures in electric vehicles protect both cell modules and occupants alike. In current vehicle generations, manufacturers often rely on aluminum for production—Purem by Eberspächer offers a more economical and sustainable alternative with a variant made of high-strength steel.

Cost-effective, sustainable, customized
Compared to aluminum, steel offers greater strength and allows for lighter battery housings thanks to the use of thinner walls. Especially for high-performance batteries with a long range, every gram counts—and is therefore a key competitive factor. In addition, production is not only more cost-effective but also results in a smaller carbon footprint: The material can be produced with lower carbon dioxide emissions and offers superior recyclability.

Translating Success from Asia to Europe
With a clear strategy, Purem by Eberspächer initially focused on launching in the Asian market. The exhaust and acoustic specialist brought its extensive knowledge of material processing and the corresponding welding processes to the development. Customer orders from Chinese manufacturers and the start of series production with an annual volume of over 100,000 housings beginning in the second half of 2026 demonstrate the feasibility of the steel-based approach. The Esslingen-based company is now rolling out this success in Europe. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) shortens development times: With the help of an AI tool, Purem by Eberspächer can calculate individual adaptations and manufacturer specifications in less time and translate them into a manufacturing concept.

Consortium for Further Product Development
A concept study by a new consortium focuses on the development and virtual design of a lightweight stainless steel housing. In addition to Purem by Eberspächer as a co-founder, the partners include Sphere Energy, Bertrandt, the Tillmann Group, Reinert, Baosteel Lasertechnik, and 3M. The goal is to eliminate the need for additional corrosion protection by using stainless steel and to design the housing to be both crash-safe and cost-optimized through the use of targeted profiles and reinforcements.