At this year’s international commercial vehicle show, MAHLE has showcased for the first time a complete system for a fuel cell truck with fuel cell peripherals, thermal management and a fully functional heavy-duty electric axle. Other product innovations include a high-performance, fuel-saving evaporative cooling system for demanding fuel cell and electric vehicles as well as a bionic fan that makes an electric truck considerably quieter at full load or during rapid charging by halving the sound pressure level. All electrified trucks now available contain significant volumes of MAHLE products and the group is involved in all major development projects for fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen engines currently in progress.
Climate protection cannot be successful without the transportation sector. In view of an expanding global economy and population growth, road transport volumes are expected to grow by over 40 percent by 2030, compared with 2019.
This will make commercial vehicles a key lever for carbon-neutral mobility. “We are committed to shaping a sustainable transportation sector with a view to strengthening the foundations for economic growth,” said Arnd Franz, Chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and CEO, at IAA Transportation in Hanover. The technology group develops components and systems for battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles and is making the internal combustion engine fit for the use of hydrogen and other renewable fuels.
Speaking to journalists, Arnd Franz emphasized that the growing electrification of the transportation sector offered considerable potential for the company. He said that the volume of MAHLE components per vehicle was twice as high in the case of battery-electric trucks as with conventional internal combustion engine trucks and would be doubled once again in the case of fuel cell trucks. The sustainable commercial vehicle sector is a significant business area for MAHLE. The group’s customers currently include more than 120 international commercial vehicle brands in the on-highway and off-highway segments. The commercial vehicle sector accounts for about one-fifth of MAHLE’s OEM business and the share is growing.