MAHLE at the Aachen Colloquium: battery concept for 90-second charging

Stuttgart/Germany, October 5, 2021

• MAHLE presents its wide range of technologies for electric vehicles and fuel cells
• Highlight: new battery concept for ultrafast charging of small vehicles in urban distribution transport
• Aachen Colloquium Sustainable Mobility to take place on October 5 and 6 before an international audience of industry professionals

At the Aachen Colloquium Sustainable Mobility on October 5 and 6, 2021, MAHLE will give insights into its latest research and development projects. Its five lectures will focus on technologies for battery electric vehicles and fuel cells. One highlight is a new lithium-carbon battery concept developed by MAHLE Powertrain, the Group’s engineering division. It is designed to enable ultrafast charging of lightweight two-wheeled and small vehicles in under 90 seconds for applications such as urban distribution transport. The concept is particularly sustainable because it does not require rare raw materials and is fully recyclable. Other projects that will be showcased include transmissions and thermal management systems for electric vehicles plus a newly developed air pathway for fuel cell vehicles.

“The mobility transformation is accelerating every day, and we are helping to advance climate-friendly technologies,” says Dr. Martin Berger, Vice President Corporate Research and Advanced Engineering at MAHLE. “MAHLE’s portfolio today is as varied as the future mobility requirements. With the topics we’re presenting in Aachen, we’re once again demonstrating that we are targeting those areas where zero-carbon mobility needs good ideas.”

A battery concept from MAHLE Powertrain combines the advantages of supercapacitors and conventional lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-carbon battery technology is not only able to support the ultrafast charging of compact delivery vehicles in inner-city areas, for example. It also has a high power density and is not susceptible to so-called runaway events, in which uncontrolled overheating occurs.

At the event in Aachen/Germany, MAHLE’s largest business unit, Thermal Management, will present an integrated thermal management system for battery electric vehicles. With this technology, MAHLE is able to maximize efficiency at system level, reduce costs, and facilitate the integration of motor, electronics, and battery temperature control into the overall system.

MAHLE Powertrain’s transmission specialists will be showcasing a shiftable high-speed electric drive module with a complex-compound planetary gearset for electric vehicles for the first time in Aachen. The core competence of MAHLE ZG Transmissions lies in the production of innovative transmissions, often for electric or hybridized drive concepts.

MAHLE’s lecture on using additive manufacturing to produce high-performance drive components will kick off the topic of innovative manufacturing processes. 3D printing in metal has enabled MAHLE to print and successfully test components for high-performance sports cars. The advantages of 3D printing are now being incorporated into the development of alternative drives, significantly shortening development times and speeding up prototype production.

Where battery electric solutions do not deliver, MAHLE has the appropriate fuel cell technologies at the ready. In a further presentation, the company will present concepts for an ideal fuel cell air pathway, which is designed to guarantee a high level of efficiency and maximum durability. MAHLE has been active in series production applications involving hydrogen for over a decade and is investing considerable development effort to drive this clean future technology forward. The company is also committed to promoting hydrogen-based technologies at a political level.

The Aachen Colloquium Sustainable Mobility brings together executives and experts from the fields of vehicle and drive technology, research, and industry to jointly discuss future-oriented developments for sustainable mobility. The conference offers its audience of international industry professionals an extensive program of more than 100 technical lectures as well as an accompanying trade exhibition.

Contacts in MAHLE Corporate Communications:

Ruben Danisch
Head of Corporate and Product Communications
Phone: +49 711 501-12199
E-mail: Contact by email

Christopher Rimmele
Product, Technology, and Aftermarket Communications Spokesman
Phone: +49 711 501-12374
E-mail: Contact by email