IAA TRANSPORTATION 2026: MUNICH ELECTRIFICATION PRESENTS SOLID-STATE BATTERY DISCONNECT TECHNOLOGY FOR E-TRUCKS AND E-BUSES
With the ME SSR, the battery technology specialist brings solid-state switching to commercial vehicle drivetrains, enabling higher uptime in continuous operation and streamlined system integration.
Munich, August 11, 2026 – At IAA Transportation 2026 (September 15–20, Hanover, Hall 19/20, Booth D42), Munich Electrification (ME) is presenting a solid-state battery disconnect unit for high-voltage systems in commercial vehicles for the first time. The new Solid-State Relay (hereafter: ME SSR) serves as a central high-voltage switch between the battery and the vehicle. It connects the battery to the drivetrain during operation and safely disconnects it from the system when parked, during servicing, or in the event of a fault. The ME SSR replaces conventional disconnect methods based on mechanical contactors and pyrotechnic fuses with solid-state switching – specifically engineered for the duty cycles, vibrations, and continuous loads of commercial vehicle operations.
ME Solid-State Relay: a solid-state battery disconnect unit for high-voltage systems in commercial vehicles
AVAILABILITY BECOMES A KEY DESIGN CRITERION
As electric commercial vehicle fleets scale and charging capacities increase, the reliability of the high-voltage electrical system is becoming a central focus in drivetrain development. Mechanical contactors suffer from wear under high duty cycles, pyrotechnic fuses are single-use components, and millisecond-range response times limit protection in high-voltage fault scenarios. For fleet operators whose profitability depends directly on vehicle uptime, this translates into operational costs and downtime, a challenge that engineering teams at OEMs and suppliers are increasingly addressing early in system design.
THE ME SSR: SOLID-STATE SWITCHING FOR THE DRIVETRAIN
The ME SSR switches high-voltage circuits within microseconds, without arcing and without mechanical wear. Compared to melt fuses, SSR technology provides software-defined protection, meaning the disconnect units are configurable, self-testing to detect latent faults, and rich in data to predict failures before they occur. The short-circuit protection is resettable: following a fault in the high-voltage system, the unit remains operational rather than forcing vehicle downtime through a blown single-use fuse. For drivetrain development, this delivers:
Higher drivetrain availability and service life, as contacts do not age or wear;
Functional safety meeting demanding commercial vehicle standards, designed in accordance with relevant automotive regulations;
Shock and vibration resistance due to the absence of moving parts, alongside silent operation;
Streamlined system integration, reducing components, interfaces, packaging requirements, and validation effort.
TWO VERSIONS FOR FLEXIBLE INTEGRATION DEPTHS
The ME SSR is available in two variants. As a standalone drop-in solution, it integrates easily into existing Battery Disconnect Units (BDUs), ideal for OEMs seeking to upgrade switching performance without redesigning the entire BDU. As an integrated module (Munich Electrification Solid-State Relay Next), it combines switching and sensor technology in a single unit, making it suitable for new platforms and BDU consolidation projects that aim to simplify system architecture.
“In commercial vehicles, uptime dictates the profitability of the entire vehicle. Mechanical contactors wear out, and pyrotechnic fuses only trigger once – every failure means repairs and downtime. The ME SSR switches purely electronically: wear-free, in under five microseconds, and resettable after every fault. This keeps the vehicle in operation instead of in the workshop”, said Timo Völkl, CTO, Munich Electrification.
ME Solid-State Relay
ME Solid-State Relay Next
EXPANDING THE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
With the ME SSR, Munich Electrification expands its portfolio from battery management and sensor expertise into high-voltage switching and disconnect technology. As a battery technology system partner, the company already provides end-to-end coverage across cell monitoring, current and voltage measurement, and functional safety – now adding the power-carrying element at the disconnect point.
The ME SSR builds on the company's field-proven Battery Management System (BMS) platform – currently deployed in multiple OEM programs, including heavy-duty trucks—and complements the Battery Management Disconnect Unit (BMDU) introduced in May 2026. This allows OEMs and suppliers to source battery management, sensing, switching, and safety software from a single system partner. For engineering teams, this end-to-end approach means fewer interfaces, reduced alignment and validation effort, and lower integration risk – from the ECU to the disconnect point.
ABOUT MUNICH ELECTRIFICATION
Battery Technology Made in Europe: Munich Electrification GmbH (ME) has been developing battery management systems (BMS) and sensor technology for electromobility and stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS) since 2014. ME covers the full spectrum across hardware and software – from cell monitoring to current sensing and functional safety.
In the automotive sector, ME systems are in series production with leading OEMs, including Daimler Truck. The BMS platform supports voltages up to 1,000 V and is engineered for fast adaptation to a wide variety of battery architectures.
For BESS applications up to 1,500 V DC, ME delivers the technology required for stable grid operation, effective peak shaving, and the transition to renewable energy. High measurement accuracy and remote monitoring enable operators to reliably monitor system health throughout the entire lifecycle.
Media Assets
https://www.munichelectrification.com/media-hub
Press Contacts
Gesa Brahm · Munich Electrification GmbH · Landaubogen 1, 81373 Munich, Germany
press@munichelectrification.com · +49 89 200 049 180
Thomas Konrad · PR for Tech · hello@pr-for-tech.com · +49 163 2770913
