Siemens and MAHLE have joined forces to change the landscape of the electric vehicle (EV) charging market.
The companies have signed a letter of intent to improve the current charging infrastructure, including developing a wireless inductive charging system for EVs.
Stefan Perras, head of pre-development and innovation for charging infrastructure at Siemens AG, said: “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.”
Siemens will bring its expertise in charging infrastructure, while MAHLE will contribute its knowledge and experience as an automotive supplier.
Harald Straky, vice-president for global development in mechatronics and electronics at MAHLE, stated having both companies on board will give the union a “clear competitive advantage”.
Together, they intend to plan extensive interoperability and cross-testing between the charging equipment on the vehicle and the charging infrastructure. This will help them improve the current system and develop inductive charging systems.
The requirement for a better EV charging infrastructure is becoming increasingly important, as sales of battery and hybrid EVs now account for more than half of all new sales.
Additionally, one in six new vehicles on the road are EVs, with sales having increased by 70 per cent in the 12 months leading to June 2022.
This led the government to refocus investment into boosting sales of plug-in taxis, motorbikes, vans, and trucks. It will also spend more on improving the public charging network to reduce “rage anxiety” among EV drivers who are unable to find somewhere to charge their cars.
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