The cooling concept of MAHLE SCT (Superior Continuous Torque) electric motors was awarded the Top Innovator Award 2023 from the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA). The Stuttgart-based technology group won in the “Green” category.
The new oil cooling ensures that the traction motor can operate at high output for an unlimited period of time. “The performance of electric passenger cars and commercial vehicles increases significantly with this technological leap. Electrification is a future field within the MAHLE 2030+ group strategy,” MAHLE said.
“This award is very special for us as it shows that we can set new technology benchmarks in e-mobility with our innovations,” said Arnd Franz, chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and CEO, when accepting the award on Wednesday evening in Brussels. “MAHLE is continuing to grow with electrification.”
The SCT electric motor means MAHLE currently has the longest-lasting electric motor in the range, MAHLE said. According to test results, it can permanently deliver between 93 and 100 percent of its peak power. “Unique on the market, this groundbreaking high ratio between continuous output and peak power allows the use of electric vehicles of all kinds even under very demanding conditions. Classic examples are road gradients for electric trucks or the multiple accelerates of a battery electric passenger car. These scenarios are only covered to a limited extent by the electric motors available to date,” the company added.
This is made possible by the innovative integrated oil cooling system, which not only makes the electric motor robust, but also allows the waste heat to be used in the vehicle’s overall system, according to MAHLE. The SCT electric motor is unrivalled in its small size, light weight and efficiency. At the same time, the extremely compact design results in an advantage in the costs of materials and weight—a lighter motor requires less material during manufacture and increases the possible net load in commercial vehicles.
MAHLE recently presented a new technology kit for electric motors. This combines the strengths of the SCT electric motor with the advantages of the MCT (Magnet-free Contactless Transmitter) electric motor, which is also considered a benchmark, according to the company.
