Electric Vehicle Relay Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Vehicle Type (Passenger Car and Commercial Vehicle), By Propulsion Type (Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Hybrid Vehicle (HV)), By Type (PCB Relay and Plug-in Relay), By Application (Heating, Lamps, Solenoids, Motors and Pumps, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2023 – 2030

The global electric vehicle relay market size was valued at USD 3.18 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 5.34 billion in 2023 to USD 12.45 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 16.6% during the forecast period.

An automotive relay is a digital or electromechanical managed switch designed for DC voltage in passenger consolation systems. Relay controls power levels in harsh environments. It works with electromagnetism, an electric-powered switch transforming small electric energy into large currents. The conversion occurs while an electrical current shifts on electromagnets to change the current circuits while operating functions in electric vehicles.

The number of relays in the vehicle depends on the features added to the electric vehicle. The market is set to witness significant growth in the upcoming years. This is due to increasing demand for electric vehicles, rise in technological developments, and the surging demand for advanced vehicle applications. Further, the increase in demand for safety features is expected to drive the market expansion during the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Market Showed Signs of Recovery Post-COVID-19 Owing to Positive Steps from OEMs to Boost EV Adoption

The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the automotive relay industry due to enforcement of lockdown restrictions across various countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the market during 2020 and 2021. The pandemic harshly impacted the automotive, defense, and aerospace industries. The automobile industry was highly affected due to a sudden decline in the sales of all types of vehicles. However, the sales of electric vehicles, including battery and hybrid electric vehicles improved post-June 2020 as lockdowns were implemented in most countries. The declining sales of electric vehicles directly affected the EV relay market. During the pandemic, the demand for relays was high due to increasing sales of electric vehicles. The sales of electric vehicles (BEVs & HEVs) were mainly dominant during the post-pandemic period. The market growth is attributed to increasing technology and OEM’s launches of new EV models in the coming years.

LATEST TRENDS

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Rising Demand for Higher Switching Capacity Relays for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles is a Prominent Trend

The electric vehicle relay manufacturers have been focusing on enhancing the efficiency and performance of their products. The companies are focused on reducing power losses, enhancing switching capabilities, increasing reliability, and extending the lifespan of relays to meet the demand for electric vehicles. The high-voltage DC components are essential for electric and hybrid vehicles. The HVDC relay is crucial in electric cars, trucks, vans, and buses. The pre-charge relay and the main contractors are part of the Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU), protecting the electronics and securing safety. These developments increase the global market size. Moreover, the demand for HVDC relays is anticipated to increase exponentially with the global trend of expansion of renewable energy. The relays are deployed across various applications in electric vehicles. These comprise battery management systems, HVAC, electric power steering, inverter control, safety systems, and others, which require an appropriate design for switching the relay on or off. Thus, the rising demand for higher switching capacity relays for electric and hybrid vehicles is expected to boost the electric vehicle relay market growth.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Adoption of Advanced Technology for Safety Concerns and Comfortable Vehicles to Boost Market Growth

The need for safer and more comfortable vehicles has been a longstanding concern in the automotive industry. Manufacturers continuously focus on addressing these requirements. This has increased the usage of relays in such electronic systems. The growth is attributed to the rising adoption of advanced technologies, such as ADAS, which delivers adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot detection, which are becoming increasingly common in modern technologies. These systems enhance safety by assisting drivers and mitigating the risk of accidents.

For instance, in July 2023, MG Motor India revealed a new variant of its ZS electric vehicle. The new vehicle delivers new Autonomous Level-2; the system works at low, medium, and high levels of sensitivity and haptic, audio, and visual warning levels. The ADAS package includes Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and Speed Assist System (SAS). The adoption of advanced technologies is directly proportional to the demand for relays. The increasing demand for such applications in upcoming electric vehicles and active developments for such advanced features will drive the growth of the market during the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Inconsistency in Design and Limited Switching Capacity May Hamper the Market Growth

Lack of a standardized relay design can lead to compatibility issues. Various manufacturers may have variations in their relays' pin configurations, mounting arrangements, or terminal assignments. This can make it challenging to interchange relays from different manufacturers or even within the same vehicle model. It may require additional modification or adapters to fit a specific relay into an exciting system, which can increase complexity and potential errors during installation or replacement. Thus, the incompatibility of relays hampers the market growth.

Furthermore, lack of standardized designs can result in variations in relay characteristics such as coil voltage, contact ratings, contact materials, and switching times. This can lead to relay performance and behavior inconsistencies across different vehicles and applications. The lack of uniformity can make it difficult to compare or predict the relay's performance and suitability for specific requirements, potentially impacting reliability and system performance. Therefore, it has become difficult for relay manufacturers to develop standard relay designs. These factors may hinder the industry growth to some extent.

SEGMENTATION

By Vehicle Type Analysis

Passenger Cars Segment to Hold the Highest Market Share Due to Significant Demand for Mid-range Vehicles and Shifting Consumer Preferences

By vehicle type, the market for electric vehicle relays is divided into passenger car and commercial vehicle. The passenger car held the maximum electric vehicle relay market share. The growing popularity of electric passenger cars can be attributed to various factors, including environmental concerns, government incentives, and regulations promoting EV adoption. These factors have contributed to a surge in demand for electric passenger cars, leading to a corresponding increase in demand for relays.

The commercial vehicle segment is expected to grow substantially, with the highest CAGR during the projected period. Commercial vehicles such as electric vans, buses, and trucks are still in the adoption phase. With the rise in electric commercial vehicle sales, the demand for relays in this segment is slated to witness significant growth during the forecast period 2023-2030.

By Propulsion Type Analysis

Increasing Adoption of Battery Electric Vehicle to Drive Segment Growth

Based on propulsion type, the market for electric vehicle relays is segmented into Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Hybrid Vehicle (HV). The BEV segment holds the largest share globally. The growth is attributed to the infrastructure for manufacturing, battery technology, and expanding charging infrastructure, making it easier for consumers to adopt and operate battery electric vehicles.

For instance, in November 2022, BYD India introduced the EV Atto3 SUV in the market. The born-EV SUV gets features such as a 12.8-inch touchscreen that rotates between portrait and landscape orientation, powered driver and front passenger seats, a 360-degree camera, digital dials, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, and more.

The hybrid vehicle segment holds the second largest market share. The manufacturers/OEMs focus on technology and hybrid vehicles to offer improved fuel economy compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. These factors are set to positively influence segmental growth over the forecast period.  

By Type Analysis

PCB Relay to Dominate the Global Market Driven by Rising Technological Advancement

Based on type, the market for electric vehicle relays is divided into PCB relay and plug-in relay. The PCB relay segment held the largest market share and is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The increased adoption of these products can be attributed to technological advancements such as higher switching capacities, improved contact material, reduced power consumption, and enhanced features such as surge protection, arc suppression, and overload protection. These factors are set to drive the market growth during the forecast period.

The plug-in relay segment is expected to exhibit the fastest growth over the forecast period. This is on account of the various advantages of the product including versatility, easy replacement, flexibility in mounting, higher power handling, reliability, customization option, and industry acceptance.

By Application Analysis

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Innovative Technology and Advanced Features in EV to Boost Motors and Pumps Segmental Growth

Based on application, the market for electric vehicle relays is divided into heating, lamps, solenoids, motors and pumps, and others. The motors and pumps segment holds the largest market share. It covers various electronic components such as power windows, central locks, cooling fans, and others. The rising adoption of advanced features in all types of vehicle segment by manufacturers is expected to drive market growth.

For instance, in April 2022, LG Magna e-Powertrain announced its new plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. The new production facility would produce inverters, motors, and onboard chargers to support General Motors’ Electric Vehicle (EV) production.

The others segment is expected to be the fastest-growing in the forecast period. The segment includes filter capacitors in electronic modules (engine management, ABS), charging systems, primary charge, battery management, and disconnection. The growth is attributed to the rise in demand for EVs, which is directly propulsion to electric vehicle relay. This development is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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By geography, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the rest of the world.

The market for electric vehicle relays in Asia Pacific has a well-established and extensive manufacturing infrastructure, particularly in China, Japan, India, and South Korea. The region's robust manufacturing base enables the efficient production of electric vehicle relay and related components. However, these countries have implemented ambitious targets and supportive policies to promote the adoption of EVs, such as incentives, subsidies, and stricter emission regulations. The growing demand for electric vehicles in the region has created a favorable environment for developing and producing EV relays.

Europe held the second largest market share, owing to the presence of government subsidiaries and favorable policies, corporate activities, consumer preference and awareness, driving partner and consumer preference. For instance, in March 2023, the European Union proposed the Net Zero Industry Act, which aims to meet 40% of the European Union’s needs for strategic net zero technologies with EU manufacturing capacity by 2030. These factors are set to drive the market growth during the forecast period.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Companies Focus on a Wide Range of Product Offerings to Gain Competitive Edge 

Major players in the market include TE Connectivity Ltd., Panasonic Corp., and Denso Corporation. The relay manufacturers focus on providing technologically advanced products for various vehicle customers across the globe.

For instance, Denso Corporation develops automotive relays for electric vehicles. It offers a plug-in Relay, power PCB relay, and high voltage relay for fuel and electrically operated vehicles. The company started offering a wide range of relays (high voltage relays) for battery management systems.

List of Key Companies Profiled: 

• Panasonic Corp. (Japan)


• TE Connectivity Ltd. (Switzerland)


• HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA (Germany)


• Fujitsu Limited (Japan)


• Hongfa Technology Co Ltd. (China)


• Willow Technologies Limited (U.K.)


• Zettler Group (U.S.)


• Denso Corporation (Japan)


• Tara Relays Private Limited (India)


• Song Chuan Group Company (Taiwan)


• Jiangxi Weiqi Electric Co., Ltd. (China)


• Ningbo Forward (China)


• Omron (Japan)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• April 2023: Fujitsu Components America announced that it would expand its automotive relay offering, launching a 14 VDC PCB option that is ideally suited to applications where space is limited. Capable of switching 30 A of current in a very compact, plastic-sealed package, measuring 6.6 mm x 13.7 mm x 14 mm, the FTR-G3 is the most miniature available automotive relay in the 30 A class. The relay’s compact size and 30 A fuse rate make it the perfect choice for controlling power windows, defoggers, seat heaters, lighting, and wipers.


• November 2022: TE Connectivity announced that the company would provide its vast portfolio of products and solutions at Smart Production Solutions (SPS) in Nuremberg, Germany. Various critical products and solutions will include automation controls, sensors, industrial robotics, and motion and drives.


• June 2022: Hongfa Technologies Co. introduced automotive relays in reaction to the market demand for small, lightweight, and energy-saving ones. The company introduced two relays, a micro relay HFV15A and a mini relay HFV15A. These products deliver different applications, including defogging control of the rear window, battery short circuit device control HVAC, and others.


• May 2022: Panasonic Corp. announced that it would deliver advanced industrial components and electronic devices to businesses in India. These devices include industrial automation, relays, connectors, sensors, wireless connectivity, and other passive components. Within the INDD business, Panasonic supports the country’s automobile Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers with cutting-edge automotive solutions.


• May 2022: Texas Instruments announced new relays that use silicon dioxide to improve isolation capabilities, depicted in greenish gold in a rendering. It is used to protect against electric shock hazards in EVs. The company claimed its new relays are the smallest on the market to reduce the cost of powertrain and 800-volt battery management systems for vehicle manufacturers.


• January 2020: ZETTLER launched two new relay series designed for Level 2 EV charging. The IEC62752 charging standard makes the AZEV116 and AZEV132 relays. The AZEV116 includes an electrical lifetime: 50,000 switching cycles 16 A, 277 VAC @ 85° C, short-circuit withstand ≥ 1.02 kA; ≥ 2.5 kA²s. The AZEV132 includes an electrical lifetime: 50,000 switching cycles 32 A, 277 VAC @ 85° C, short-circuit withstand ≥ 1.5 kA; ≥ 6.0 kA²s.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The report provides a detailed industry analysis and focuses on key aspects such as leading market players, competitive landscape, and vehicle type. Besides, the report includes insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors above, the report encompasses several factors that contributed to the demand for electric vehicle relays in recent years.

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