• Focus: development of a Virtually Isolated Onboard Charger (viOBC)
• Features: high power density and energy efficiency
• Product design: space requirement halved; weight reduced by a third
• Successful concept testing: Series production targeted within two to three years

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and LIPPSTADT, Germany, Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The international automotive supplier FORVIA HELLA and Tau Motors, a pioneer in software-defined power conversion, are working on advanced charging solutions in the context of a strategic development cooperation. The focus is on the development of a "virtually isolated Onboard Charger (viOBC)" for electric vehicles, aiming to bring it into series production within the next two to three years.  By dispensing with a transformer, the viOBC has a high power density and energy efficiency on the one hand; on the other, the weight and required installation space can be significantly reduced. The product also enables advanced energy management in vehicles, including vehicle-to-grid integration.  The development partnership also includes an investment in Tau via the venture capital arm HELLA Ventures.

In this partnership, FORVIA HELLA contributes extensive expertise in the field of high-voltage and power electronics as well as industrialization capabilities. Tau brings its software-defined technology platform alongside deep expertise in power electronics, controls, and innovative product design capability to the table.

"We are very pleased with the partnership with Tau and the joint development of this outstanding Onboard Charger with an exceptionally high degree of innovation. The collaboration takes onboard charging to the next level and creates a product that sets new standards in power density. With this, we are also expanding our portfolio of high-performance key components for electrification. viOBCs represent another significant contribution to sustainable mobility and strengthens our position as an innovation leader," says Jörg Weisgerber, Managing Director Electronics at FORVIA HELLA.

Wesley Pennington, Founder and CEO of Tau, adds: "We're proud to partner with FORVIA HELLA, a global leader in automotive electronics. This advanced technology partnership brings together Tau's software-defined power conversion platform and FORVIA HELLA's global scale in product, quality, and safety. More importantly it aligns groundbreaking technology with industrial excellence to deliver the next generation of high-voltage power electronic and energy management solutions for clean, intelligent mobility."

Compared to conventional charging solutions, the virtually isolated Onboard Charger requires no transformer for galvanic separation (isolation) between the AC grid and the DC vehicle system thanks to innovative software and hardware design. Despite this, it fully ensures electrical and functional safety while maintaining the range of functions found in transformer-based designs. By eliminating the transformer, the viOBC achieves a very high power density of up to 7 kW per liter of installation volume. The virtual isolation technology enables the space requirements and volume for vehicle's OBC to be reduced by up to half, and its weight by around a third.

Moreover, the transformerless design enables an energy efficiency of more than 98 percent during the charging process, as well as grid-supporting virtual powerplant capability. This subsequently enables CO2 savings through weight reduction as well as lower electricity costs due to higher efficiency. A viOBC prototype has now successfully completed its technological and commercial concept testing; series production is expected to begin within the next two to three years.

Note: This text along with accompanying visual material is also available in our press database at: www.taumotors.com/newsroom and  www.hella.com/press

About Tau
Tau Motors, Inc. is an advanced technology company redefining the future of electrification. From electric vehicles to the grid and beyond, Tau enables next-generation products – today.  Tau has pioneered technologies that leverage the company's software-defined hardware platform to provide industry leading scale, economics, and performance. By combining deep expertise in power electronics, systems engineering, and advanced control, Tau is accelerating flexible, secure, and sustainable energy systems across industries. As a technology company, Tau partners with industry leaders to develop and deploy transformative solutions on the company's platform. At its core, Tau is made of exceptionally talented people – and we are growing. Come join our mission. For more information, visit taumotors.com.

About FORVA HELLA
FORVIA HELLA is a listed international automotive supplier. As a company of the FORVIA Group, FORVIA HELLA stands for high-performance lighting technology and vehicle electronics and, with the Lifecycle Solutions Business Group, also covers a broad service and product portfolio for the spare parts and workshop business as well as for manufacturers of special vehicles. With currently around 36,500 employees at over 125 locations, the company is active worldwide and generated adjusted sales of €8.1 billion in the fiscal year 2024. www.hella.com

About FORVIA
FORVIA, a global automotive technology supplier, comprises the complementary technology and industrial strengths of Faurecia and HELLA. With over 150,000 people, including more than 15,000 R&D engineers across 40+ countries, FORVIA provides a unique and comprehensive approach to the automotive challenges of today and tomorrow. Composed of 6 business groups and a strong IP portfolio of over 13,000 patents, FORVIA is focused on becoming the preferred innovation and integration partner for OEMs worldwide. In 2024, the Group achieved consolidated sales of €27 billion. FORVIA SE is listed on the Euronext Paris market under the FRVIA mnemonic code and is a component of the CAC SBT 1.5° indice. FORVIA aims to be a change maker committed to foreseeing and making the mobility transformation happen. www.forvia.com

For more information, please contact:

Tau Motors, Inc.
1104 Main Street
Redwood City, California, USA
www.taumotors.com

Tau Media Office
media@taumotors.com

HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
Rixbecker Straße 75
59552 Lippstadt / Germany
www.hella.com

Daniel Morfeld
Group Press Officer
+49 (0) 2941 38 7566
daniel.morfeld@forvia.com

Nadine-Kristin Reilmann
Press Officer Automotive Technology
+49 (0) 172 14 834 89
nadine-kristin.reilmann@forvia.com

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SOURCE Tau Motors, Inc.