MAHLE, the technology company, and Siemens signed a declaration of intention for cooperation in wireless charging systems for electric vehicles. Both companies will collaborate in the development and testing of complete infrastructure as well as automotive engineering systems. Promoting standards of inductive charging technology will be one of the main areas of interest.
“We are pleased to have found a strong partner, Siemens, in order to make significant advances in inductive charging. The combined experience of both companies gives me a clear competitive edge,” stated Dr. Harald Straky Vice President for Global Development at MAHLE in the field of electronics and mechatronics.
“Wireless charging for electric vehicles is a promising market. It makes life much easier for drivers who don’t have to deal with cables or connectors. This is also a critical requirement for autonomous mobility in the future.” Dr. Stefan Perras is Head of Predevelopment and Innovation at Siemens AG. He said that wireless inductive charging has a transfer efficiency comparable to plug-in systems.
In recent years, MAHLE has increased its efforts in wireless charging development. Two projects were funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. One project is to develop an inductive charging system for cars that can be used across multiple manufacturers. The second project is a standard measurement method to determine electromagnetic compatibility for inductive systems.
With its cable-based infrastructure solution, chargeBIG, the technology company is already in the market. The intelligent charging management system is easy to integrate into existing infrastructure without costly or lengthy conversions. This system is designed for areas where electric cars are left parked for long periods of time, such as at airports, company car parks, and underground parking ramps in large residential complexes.
