Bosch Power Tools is opening up its 18 V battery platform of the “Home & Garden” division to other manufacturers, thus setting a milestone: Bosch and Gardena will form an alliance in future and, together with other leading brands, will offer a cross-brand battery system for products in and around the entire home.

The basis of this Alliance is Bosch cordless technology. “We are opening up our system to other manufacturers, thus offering users more flexibility than ever before. In future, they will be able to use one and the same 18 V battery to operate power tools, garden tools and home appliances from Bosch, as well as products bearing the Gardena, Emmaljunga, Gloria, Wagner and Rapid brand names,” said Henk Becker, President of Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH.

The common goal is to offer users the largest cross-brand battery system and thus, the widest application range for their home: DIY tools, garden and cleaning tools, home appliances, products for surface coating, for leisure and camping.

More than 20 million Bosch batteries for 18 V DIY and garden tools that are already on the market will remain compatible like the corresponding chargers, the company said.

“The demand for cordless tools is increasing continuously. In five years down the road, their share will already have risen from about 40 to 60 percent. The investment in our battery system is an investment in the future,” said Henk Becker.