BorgWarner Purchases Gasoline Ignition Technology From Etatech

Plans to commercialize the technology to replace conventional spark plugs

BorgWarner has purchased a gasoline ignition technology from Florida-based Etatech. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed. The high-frequency ignition technology reportedly enables lean burning engines to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, as compared to conventional combustion technologies.

BorgWarner expects to commercialize the technology, which will replace conventional spark plugs for powertrain applications across various markets and regions in the next few years.

The company claimed, unlike traditional engine ignition systems that rely on heat to initiate combustion, the patented technology generates a high-energy electrostatic field inside the combustion chamber that improves combustion efficiency and speed, and consistently ignites the leanest air-fuel mixtures. With little or no heat-related electrode erosion, maintenance is virtually eliminated.

Tim Manganello, Chairman and CEO of BorgWarner, said: Our ignition experts at BERU Systems believe this will be the ignition technology of the future. The significant improvements in fuel economy and emissions provided by this technology may revolutionize the industry. Our focus on reducing emissions, increasing fuel economy and improving engine performance makes this technology a perfect fit for BorgWarner.