Eatron Technologies’ ZENBMS Project Secures UK DRIVE35 Grant

ZENBMS Project Selected For UK DRIVE35 Funding

On August 19, the Eatron Technologies ZENBMS project was selected as one of ten automotive projects to receive grant funding through the UK Government’s latest DRIVE35 Demonstrate competition. The 12-month initiative brings together Eatron Technologies, Infineon, and WMG: University of Warwick to develop a 48V battery management system designed for emerging low-voltage electrified applications. The funding provides support for development work focused on combining battery management capabilities with a more scalable electrical and electronic vehicle architecture.

48V Battery Management System Targets Emerging Electrified Applications

The ZENBMS project will focus on a 48V battery management system for emerging low-voltage electrified applications. The system is intended to combine Infineon’s BMS chipset with Eatron Technologies’ embedded Battery Optimisation Software. This combination is designed to reduce system complexity and cost while maintaining the safety and reliability required for automotive applications. By integrating hardware and software capabilities within the BMS architecture, the project aims to create a solution that can support the increasing electrical requirements of electrified vehicles without unnecessarily increasing electronic system complexity.

Project Supports Transition To Zonal Vehicle Architectures

A key objective of the project is to support the transition towards zonal vehicle architectures. Zonal designs can simplify vehicle electronics by consolidating electrical and electronic functions around defined vehicle zones, potentially reducing wiring complexity and supporting more scalable vehicle platforms. The ZENBMS development therefore extends beyond battery management alone, addressing how low-voltage electrification can fit into evolving vehicle architectures. The project partners will use the 12-month programme to develop a solution that aligns battery management with these broader architectural changes in the automotive industry.

Industry Collaboration Combines Semiconductor And Software Expertise

The collaboration brings together complementary capabilities from Infineon, Eatron Technologies, and WMG: University of Warwick. Infineon contributes its BMS chipset, while Eatron Technologies contributes embedded Battery Optimisation Software, creating an integrated approach to battery management. WMG: University of Warwick is also part of the project consortium, supporting the development programme. The combination is intended to address system complexity, cost, safety, and reliability within a single development effort. The project reflects the wider need for integrated semiconductor, software, and engineering capabilities as electrified vehicle architectures continue to evolve.

DRIVE35 Funding Advances UK Automotive Technology Development

The grant-funded programme forms part of the UK’s broader automotive technology development activity through the DRIVE35 Demonstrate competition. The initiative provides a framework for advancing automotive projects with potential applications in future vehicle technologies. The ZENBMS project is particularly focused on low-voltage electrification, battery management, and zonal architectures, linking these areas into a single 12-month development programme. With United Kingdom support, the partners will work toward demonstrating a 48V BMS solution that can reduce complexity and cost while retaining the safety and reliability expected from automotive battery management systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ZENBMS project?
The ZENBMS project is a 12-month automotive development programme focused on a 48V battery management system for emerging low-voltage electrified applications. The project was selected for grant funding through the UK Government’s DRIVE35 Demonstrate competition and brings together Eatron Technologies, Infineon, and WMG: University of Warwick. Its development combines Infineon’s BMS chipset with Eatron Technologies’ embedded Battery Optimisation Software. The objective is to reduce system complexity and cost while maintaining safety and reliability, while also supporting the broader transition toward zonal vehicle architectures.

How will ZENBMS support zonal vehicle architectures?
ZENBMS is intended to support zonal vehicle architectures by addressing battery management within a more simplified and scalable electronic vehicle environment. Zonal architectures can reduce wiring complexity by reorganising electrical and electronic functions around vehicle zones. The project combines a 48V BMS with embedded battery optimisation software to reduce system complexity and cost while maintaining safety and reliability. This approach could help integrate low-voltage electrification more effectively into future vehicle platforms, where scalable electronic architectures and reduced wiring requirements are becoming increasingly important for automotive system development.