The electric air conditioning compressor from MAHLE, which is the beating heart of the air conditioning and refrigerant circuit in electric vehicles, has been recognized by the European Association of Automotive Suppliers at the prestigious CLEPA Innovation Awards 2019. MAHLE prevailed in a strong field of 63 competitors to win the prize in the Environment category.
Dr. Otmar Scharrer, head of corporate research and advanced engineering, accepted the accolade at an award ceremony in Brussels/Belgium. “We see this award as a further acknowledgment of our work. The electric air conditioning compressor from MAHLE operates on a demand basis, so it only uses as much energy as it needs, thus ensuring greater efficiency and cruising range. In this way, it is helping to make individual mobility more climate-friendly. At the same time, this technology allows the battery to be charged quickly when the vehicle is stationary — a process that requires cooling. This rapid charging capability makes a substantial contribution to e-mobility’s widespread acceptance by consumers,” said Dr. Scharrer.
MAHLE said its award-winning e-compressor is the result of a cooperative project within the MAHLE Group that has spanned disciplines, business areas and national borders. “The know-how and experience of the experts at our MAHLE locations in North America and Europe have fed into the development of this technology. With our e‑compressor, we are supplying a product that offers outstanding adaptability to specific customer requirements,” said Dr. Armin Frommer, head of product development, e‑compressors at MAHLE.
The e-compressor from MAHLE is the beating heart of the air conditioning and refrigerant circuit in an electric vehicle. It takes on the central role of controlling the temperature in the cabin, but most importantly, it is responsible for the air conditioning of the critical component in the electric vehicle’s powertrain: its battery. Keeping the battery at the right temperature makes a crucial impact on its service life and charging speed as well as on the cruising range of the electric vehicle.
MAHLE says electric compressors are strategically important to the company. They are enabling the technology group to build on its position as a complete systems provider in the field of air conditioning for electric vehicles too. In addition to the e-compressors themselves, MAHLE develops and produces the electric drives they require as well as the electronics and software.
