Siemens & Mahle partner over inductive EV charging systems
German multinational conglomerate and Europe’s largest industrial manufacturing company Siemens has teamed up with Mahle, one of the world's largest automotive suppliers, in a partnership aimed at closing the gaps in the standardisation of inductive electric vehicle (EV) charging systems.
"Wireless charging of electric vehicles is emerging as a major market for the future. In addition to making life considerably easier for drivers, who no longer have to fiddle with cables and connectors, it is a crucial requirement for the autonomous mobility of tomorrow. The transfer efficiency of wireless, inductive charging is comparable to plug-in systems," said Stefan Perras, Head of Pre-development and Innovation for Charging Infrastructure at Siemens.
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One aspect of the planned cooperation includes coordinated standardisation efforts in the relevant bodies. The goal is to close gaps in order to ensure full interoperability between vehicles and the charging infrastructure.
The two companies also plan for a close exchange of ideas to develop a complete inductive charging system for electric vehicles, with Mahle bringing its many years of experience as an automotive supplier and Siemens its expertise in charging infrastructure.
"We are very pleased to have found a strong partner in Siemens in order to make major advances in inductive charging. The combined experience of both companies will give us a clear competitive advantage," said Harald Straky, Vice President for Global Development in Mechatronics and Electronics at Mahle.
Both companies are also planning extensive interoperability and cross-testing between the charging equipment on the vehicle, also known as the secondary coil, and the charging infrastructure, or primary coil. This will allow for technical improvements and validation of inductive charging systems for electric vehicles and ensure interoperability. Some of the testing will be performed as part of publicly funded projects.
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As a full-service provider for eMobility charging infrastructure, Siemens eMobility offers a complete range of state-of-the-art AC and DC charging hardware, software and services – from residential to commercial to depot applications.
"Siemens’ core expertise in smart buildings and smart grids makes us uniquely positioned to meet our customers’ needs with comprehensive solutions and to help them design, install and manage sustainable charging solutions for a better future," added Perras.
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