Insights from a Chinese EV Industry Insider: What Are the Key Components of New Energy Vehicles?
—From the Perspective of a Precision Mold Parts Manufacturer
As an upstream player in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, our company doesn’t produce electric vehicles or automotive parts directly. Instead, we supply precision components like guide pillars, bushings, ball cages, and sleeves used in the production equipment—such as stamping lines and assembly tools—that OEMs like BYD rely on to manufacture EV components and vehicles.
In other words, we are the “parts behind the parts.”
This article will take you inside the structure of a modern NEV and explain the critical systems—drive motors, control electronics, and batteries—while highlighting how our precision parts silently support these technologies behind the scenes.
The “Muscle” of an EV: Drive Motors and Transmission Systems
Unlike traditional vehicles, NEVs are powered by electric motors, which require a completely different production approach, involving high-speed, high-precision processes.
Key Components in the Electric Drive System:
- Drive Motor: Converts electrical energy into mechanical motion.
- Permanent Magnets, Silicon Steel Sheets, Motor Core: Essential materials for efficiency and magnetic performance.
Our Role: We supply precision guide pillars and bushings for the progressive stamping molds used to manufacture motor lamination stacks. These components ensure consistent alignment and extended mold life under high-speed operation.
The “Brain” of the Vehicle: PCU and ECU Control Systems
Energy flow and vehicle performance depend on highly integrated electronic control systems, responsible for real-time monitoring and decision-making.
Core Modules Include:
- Inverter, DC-DC / DC-AC Converters: Manage voltage conversion between high-voltage and low-voltage systems.
- Battery Management System (BMS), Power ECU: Oversee battery health, charge status, and safety.
- IGBTs / SiC Modules: Critical for switching and managing electric power with minimal loss.
Our Role: These control units often require precision die-casting molds and metal enclosures. We provide high-performance coated guide pillar systems that improve tool durability and dimensional accuracy for these applications.
The “Heart” of an EV: Battery Systems and Their Materials
Battery performance directly impacts the driving range, safety, and overall efficiency of an electric vehicle.
Main Battery Types:
- Lithium-ion Batteries: The most widely used due to high energy density.
- Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries: Still common in hybrid vehicles.
- Fuel Cells: Hydrogen-powered and gaining interest for long-range EVs.
Key Battery Materials:
- Cathode & Anode Materials, Separator, Electrolyte, Current Collectors
Our Role: For example, copper and aluminum foils used as current collectors undergo high-precision punching. We supply ball cage bushings and guide sets for these stamping dies, ensuring micro-tolerance precision and consistent output at high speeds.
Fuel Cell Systems: The Next Frontier in Clean Energy
Hydrogen fuel cells represent an exciting direction for zero-emission transport, with intricate structures and demanding production requirements.
Key Fuel Cell Components:
- Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA)
- Electrolyte Membranes
- Catalysts, Bipolar Plates, Hydrogen Tanks
Our Role: The production of these components involves deep drawing and fine stamping processes. We supply high-precision guiding systems that enable long-term mold stability and micron-level repeatability.
Final Thoughts: We’re Not in the Spotlight—But We Power Those Who Are
NEVs are built on a foundation of cutting-edge engineering and precision manufacturing. While we may not make the parts that go directly into the car, our components are critical to the machines that make the parts. Without precision guidance systems like ours, the mass production of high-performance NEV components would not be possible.
We are not making EV parts.
We are making the parts that make EV production possible.
In the journey toward electrification, companies like ours are the invisible yet indispensable players. And we believe that excellence in precision is the true power behind innovation.
