The transportation sector plays a crucial role in global climate protection, with road transport volumes projected to grow by over 40% by 2030 compared to 2019. As commercial vehicles remain key to achieving carbon-neutral mobility, MAHLE, a technology group, has reaffirmed its commitment to driving sustainable transportation. At the IAA Transportation event in Hanover, Arnd Franz, Chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and CEO, stated, 'We are committed to shaping a sustainable transportation sector with a view to strengthening the foundations for economic growth.'
MAHLE is focusing on developing components and systems for battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles, while also working to make internal combustion engines compatible with hydrogen and renewable fuels. At the international commercial vehicle show, the company introduced a complete system for fuel cell trucks, including fuel cell peripherals, thermal management, and a fully functional heavy-duty electric axle. Among the new products showcased were a high-performance, fuel-saving evaporative cooling system for both fuel cell and electric vehicles, and a bionic fan designed to halve the sound pressure level, making electric trucks considerably quieter at full load or during rapid charging. MAHLE highlighted that all currently available electrified trucks incorporate substantial volumes of its products, and it is actively participating in major development projects for fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen engines.
Addressing journalists, Franz emphasised the potential for MAHLE within the growing electrification of the transportation sector. He pointed out that the volume of MAHLE components in battery-electric trucks is twice as high as in conventional internal combustion engine trucks and is set to double again for fuel cell trucks. The sustainable commercial vehicle sector constitutes a significant part of MAHLE's business, with over 120 international commercial vehicle brands among its customers in both on-highway and off-highway segments. Currently, the commercial vehicle sector accounts for about one-fifth of MAHLE’s OEM business, a share that continues to grow.
Franz also stressed the importance of technological diversity in achieving decarbonisation within the transportation sector, given the varying use cases, travel distances, payloads, and infrastructure across different regions. 'We are committed to technological diversity with a view to decarbonising the transportation sector, with its wide range of requirements, as rapidly as possible. MAHLE offers the technologies needed,' he stated. He added that MAHLE's products are already developed, tested, and ready for mass production, underscoring the company’s readiness to support the shift towards a more sustainable commercial vehicle industry.
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