Sevcon
Sevcon was a British-founded electric-vehicle technology company specializing in motor controls, battery chargers, and related power electronics.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Sevcon was an electric-vehicle technology company founded in the United Kingdom in 1961 as Sevcon Engineering Ltd. Its origins lay in technology developed by Horace William Heyman, who had served as managing director of Smith Electric Vehicles. Heyman's work addressed a central problem in early battery-powered vehicles: the electrical losses created when high current was applied during low-speed starts and repeated stop-start operation. By using semiconductor-controlled rectifiers and an oscillator to deliver pulsed electrical power to the traction motor, the technology reduced resistive heating and improved the practical use of battery capacity. The company stated that the approach could either reduce the battery required for a given performance level or increase range and power within a conventional battery size. Sevcon developed from a British engineering business into an international supplier of electronic systems for electric and hybrid vehicles. It opened its first overseas subsidiary in Paris in 1968, and in 1969 was acquired by the American company Tech/Ops. Its early engineering achievements were recognized with a Queen's Award to Industry in 1970 and a Queen's Award for Export in 1975. A new factory opened at Team Valley in Gateshead in June 1970, establishing the site as an important part of the company's UK operations. The company broadened its activities beyond basic traction control. Its product portfolio came to include electronic motor controllers, vehicle-control electronics, battery chargers, and other power-electronic components used in electric vehicles and industrial equipment. Products were supplied directly to original-equipment manufacturers and through distributors. Manufacturing was partly outsourced at different times to suppliers in Poland, Malaysia, Mexico, and China, while Sevcon maintained engineering, sales, and operating facilities in several countries. Its structure also included ICW Ltd., a Wrexham-based subsidiary associated with film capacitors; that business was later sold to Charcroft. Sevcon became publicly traded in the United States in 1988 and later joined the NASDAQ Capital Market in 2009. Its stock symbol changed from TO, reflecting the Tech/Ops Sevcon name, to SEV in 2011. During the 2010s, the company pursued expansion in the rapidly developing market for electric mobility. In 2014 it formed a Chinese joint venture, Sevcon New Energy Technology, with a tier-one automotive supplier. Sevcon acquired the other party's 50 percent interest in June 2016, making the venture wholly owned. In February 2016, it also acquired an Italian battery-charger business, adding an Italian facility and strengthening its charging-related capabilities. BorgWarner acquired Sevcon in September 2017 after a period of rapid expansion. The transaction ended Sevcon's independent public-company existence and brought its electric-vehicle controls and related technologies into BorgWarner's powertrain and electrification portfolio. From January 2019, development and operations for most of the former Sevcon products were transferred to BorgWarner's facility in Lugo, Italy, which had previously been associated with Sevcon. Sevcon is therefore best understood today as a former independent corporate brand and technology business whose products and operations were absorbed into BorgWarner rather than as an active standalone company.
History
Sevcon's history began in 1961, when Sevcon Engineering Ltd. was established to develop electric-vehicle technology associated with Horace William Heyman. Heyman had led Smith Electric Vehicles as managing director and focused on improving the efficiency of battery-powered vehicles in demanding stop-start service. Conventional starting arrangements produced substantial electrical losses because high currents caused resistive heating. Sevcon's semiconductor-based system used controlled rectification and oscillation to apply electrical power in pulses, improving the use of available battery energy. The technology could support equivalent vehicle performance with a smaller battery or provide additional range or power from a battery of a standard size. The company began internationalizing in the late 1960s. It opened a subsidiary in Paris in 1968 and was acquired by the US company Tech/Ops in 1969. Its technical and commercial progress was recognized by a Queen's Award to Industry in 1970 and a Queen's Award for Export in 1975. In June 1970, Sevcon opened a new factory at Team Valley in Gateshead. The Gateshead site remained associated with the company's UK presence, while the corporate parent later operated from Boston, Massachusetts. Over subsequent decades, Sevcon developed into a specialist supplier of electronic controls for electric vehicles and other electrified equipment. Its activities included traction motor controllers, vehicle-control systems, battery chargers, and associated power electronics. The company sold through direct relationships with vehicle manufacturers as well as an international distributor network. Manufacturing arrangements included outsourcing to companies in Poland, Malaysia, Mexico, and China. Sevcon also operated through international sales and engineering facilities in France, Japan, South Korea, and China. Its subsidiary ICW Ltd. produced film capacitors in Wrexham, although that business was subsequently sold to Charcroft. Sevcon entered the US public markets in 1988. It later joined the NASDAQ Capital Market in 2009, and in 2011 changed its NASDAQ ticker from TO, based on the Tech/Ops Sevcon name, to SEV. During the 2010s, the company sought to expand as demand for electric and hybrid vehicle systems increased. In 2014 it established Sevcon New Energy Technology with a Chinese tier-one automotive supplier. Sevcon took full ownership of that venture in June 2016 by acquiring the partner's 50 percent interest. In February of the same year, it acquired an Italian battery-charger business, adding both technology and a physical base in Italy. The expansion period culminated in BorgWarner's acquisition of Sevcon in September 2017. The transaction removed Sevcon as an independent listed company and transferred its technology, facilities, and operations into BorgWarner. Beginning in January 2019, most development and operational work for the former Sevcon product range was moved to BorgWarner's facility in Lugo, Italy, formerly connected with Sevcon's Italian operations. Sevcon consequently survives primarily as a legacy technology and product identity within BorgWarner's electrification history, rather than as an independent active brand.
- 2019
Former Sevcon operations transferred to Lugo
[1]Most development and operational work for former Sevcon products is transferred to BorgWarner's Lugo, Italy, facility.
- 2017
Acquired by BorgWarner
[1]BorgWarner acquires Sevcon in September, ending its independent corporate life.
- 2016
Italian charger business acquired
[1]Sevcon acquires an Italian battery-charger business and adds an Italian facility.
- 2016
Chinese venture becomes wholly owned
[1]Sevcon acquires the remaining half of Sevcon New Energy Technology.
- 2014
Chinese joint venture formed
[1]Sevcon forms Sevcon New Energy Technology with a Chinese tier-one automotive supplier.
- 2011
Ticker changes to SEV
[1]The company's NASDAQ ticker changes from TO to SEV.
- 2009
Joins the NASDAQ Capital Market
[1]Sevcon's shares begin trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
- 1988
Public listing
[1]Sevcon becomes publicly listed on a US stock exchange.
- 1975
Queen's Award for Export
[1]The company receives a Queen's Award for Export, reflecting its international business.
- 1970
Queen's Award and Team Valley factory
[1]Sevcon receives a Queen's Award to Industry and opens a new factory at Team Valley, Gateshead.
Products and positioning
A specialist business-to-business supplier of power electronics and control systems for electric vehicles, industrial vehicles, and related electrified applications.
Power electronics
Electric-vehicle motor controllers
Sevcon's core offering was electronic control equipment for electric-vehicle traction motors. Its technology regulated the delivery of battery power to the motor, particularly during starting and low-speed operation, where conventional systems could create significant resistive losses. These controls were supplied primarily to vehicle manufacturers and other business customers rather than to consumers.
Electric-vehicle systems
Vehicle-control electronics
The company supplied broader control electronics used in electrified vehicles and industrial equipment. These systems formed part of the vehicle's powertrain-control architecture and were designed to coordinate electrical power and motor operation in commercial and specialist applications.
Charging equipment · 2016
Battery chargers
Battery chargers became an important part of Sevcon's portfolio, strengthened by the acquisition of an Italian charger business in 2016. The products served electrified vehicle and industrial applications and added charging capability to Sevcon's existing motor-control expertise.
Electronic components
Film capacitors
Through its subsidiary ICW Ltd., Sevcon was associated with the manufacture of film capacitors at a facility in Wrexham, United Kingdom. The subsidiary was later sold to Charcroft, separating that component activity from Sevcon's remaining electric-vehicle systems business.
Brand decisions
2017
Accept acquisition by BorgWarnerM&ABackground
After a period of rapid expansion, Sevcon was acquired as the electric-vehicle market and demand for powertrain electronics developed.
Action taken
BorgWarner acquired Sevcon in September 2017.
Aftermath
Sevcon ceased to operate as an independent public company, and its products and operations were integrated into BorgWarner's electrification activities.
2016
Acquire an Italian battery-charger businessM&ABackground
Sevcon was expanding its electric-mobility technology portfolio and sought additional charging capabilities.
Action taken
The company acquired an Italian battery-charger business and added an Italian operating facility.
Aftermath
The Italian base later became associated with the development and operation of most former Sevcon products under BorgWarner.
2014
Enter the Chinese market through a joint ventureStrategyBackground
Sevcon sought to expand its presence in the growing electric-vehicle sector and formed Sevcon New Energy Technology with a Chinese tier-one automotive supplier.
Action taken
The company established a 50-percent joint venture in China to develop and commercialize its new-energy vehicle activities.
Aftermath
Sevcon later acquired the partner's half of the venture in June 2016, making the entity wholly owned.
Sources1 sources
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