In view of the sluggish ramp-up of e-mobility,
MAHLE — an international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry with customers in both passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors — considers it necessary to offer other types of electrification, such as hybrid vehicles or range extenders in addition to pure battery-electric vehicles, and for politicians to make these options possible.
At the last month’s
MAHLE Tech Day in Stuttgart, CEO Arnd Franz called for the rapid revision of CO2 legislation in Europe to take into account sustainable internal combustion engines and climate-neutral fuels. He said: “As a supplier, we need technology neutrality in legislation: so that we can make rapid progress with climate protection; so that the expertise and innovative strength of the European automotive industry can continue to flourish in Europe; and so that jobs remain in Europe and Europe’s economy can recover its old strength.
“In a volatile and extremely challenging business environment, MAHLE is focusing even more strongly on efficiency improvements, not only with respect to its products but also in its business processes with a view to further strengthening its competitiveness and resilience. We have a clear commitment to climate protection.
“In addition to products for pure e-mobility, MAHLE is also focusing its efforts on hybrid vehicles and advanced range extenders to boost the ranges of electric vehicles and to make it easier for customers to change over from pure ICE vehicles. China especially is currently recording strong growth in these electric drive systems, and it is forecast that the share of electric vehicles with range extenders in worldwide production of electrified passenger cars and light commercial vehicles will grow by 15% per year up to 2030. MAHLE intends to share in this growth.”
High decarbonisation potentialMr Franz also mentioned the high decarbonisation potential of renewable fuels, which is not yet being fully tapped. He continued: “Any plan for rapid and effective climate protection in road traffic is incomplete without renewable fuels. In addition to hydrogen, especially in the transport sector, biofuels can make an effective contribution to individual mobility.
“This would allow more rapid progress, especially with respect to the vehicle fleet, but the share of renewable fuels — biofuels and synthetic fuels — used in road traffic would need to rise to 30% by 2030 in order to reach the climate goals. MAHLE technologies already allow the direct use of renewable fuels without any compromises.”
He concluded: “Europe is facing a crucial decision for the future with respect to CO
2 emissions regulations. Internal combustion engines operated using climate-neutral fuels must be recognised as part of the solution.”