GKN Automotive, the world’s largest supplier of driveline technology, is partnering with Delta Electronics of Taiwan to accelerate development of power systems for electric vehicles as manufacturers prepare to launch a slew of battery powered cars to meet new emissions targets.

The automotive component supplier, acquired in 2018 by buyout specialist Melrose Industries after a bitter ￡8bn bid battle for engineer GKN, said the “strategic collaboration”, which will be announced on Monday, would strengthen its position as a leading eDrive supplier. Together the two companies will invest about ￡100m a year in developing standardised eDrive solutions for the next generation of battery powered vehicles.

The partnership with Delta, a specialist in power electronics, will enable GKN to offer a more competitive and “scalable, next-generation 3-in-1 eDrive systems” within three years, said Liam Butterworth, chief executive of the business. These combine the electric motor, gearbox and power electronics into a single package that would reduce cost, weight and packaging for car manufacturers. Competitors in eDrive such as Bosch and ZF of Germany already have their own power electronics units.