Mahle to Debut Improved Commercial Fleet e-Motor at IAA
Powertrain specialist Mahle will unveil its latest e-motor aimed at forwarding the adoption of electric powertrains among commercial fleets.
Its new SCT (superior continuous torque) motor will make its debut at the IAA Transportation trade fair in Hanover, Germany, from September 20. The new motor claims to solve the dilemma common to many electric motors of a great discrepancy between continuous and peak power.
While previous electric motors can only provide their peak power for a short time and then drop to around 60% to 70%, the SCT motor is said to be able to be operated continuously at over 90% of its peak power. This means it can run indefinitely at high power and is significantly smaller and lighter than a conventional electric motor with the same continuous power. Therefore, it becomes suitable for use in all vehicle classes, including heavy commercial vehicles. Mahle says it achieved the necessary technological leap forward with the SCT motor by using an innovative, integrated oil cooling system.
Hydrogen ICE
Mahle will also display its solution for fleets using of hydrogen as a combustion fuel, which has the potential to make many heavy-duty and off-highway applications climate-neutral particularly quickly. Hydrogen engines are ideal for high load cycles with sudden load steps and handle heat, contamination and vibration well.
A new power cell unit will be presented for the first time at the IAA consisting of pistons, piston rings, conrods, pins and, if necessary, a cylinder liner as well as a high-pressure impactor for flushing the crankcase. This means that hydrogen can be used highly efficiently and safely in combustion engines with a long service life.
Michael Frick, chairman of the Mahle management board (ad interim) and CFO, said: “We provide the transport sector’s necessary contribution to climate protection through a realistic and technology-neutral view of customers and markets. We are, therefore, concentrating our development activities on three areas: battery electric drives and fuel cells, thermal management and highly efficient, clean combustion engines.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
