Continental is set to show off a number of new technologies at the upcoming IAA 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, and among them is a new drive system innovation for electric vehicles.
The compact axle drive weighs less than 80kg and consists of an electric motor, transmission and inverter. As a package, the three elements make the electric vehicle around 20kg lighter with surplus cable connections and plugs removed to lose weight.
Another highlight is the 48V high-power drive, which enables full hybrid vehicles based only on 48V electric drive train to reach speeds of 80 to 90 km/h (50 to 56 mph) on electric power only. This breakthrough will make help the important contribution to reducing vehicle CO2 emissions.
With the electric axle drive to go into production in Europe and China later this year, Continental will be the world’s only supplier to produce a fully integrated axle drive module.
“Our fully integrated axle drive module makes us pioneers and puts us a clear step ahead of the competition. The system allows both established large-scale manufacturers and new suppliers to quickly produce efficient, fully electric-powered vehicles,” said Andreas Wolf, head of Continental’s Powertrain business.
Continental will hold its press conference at the show on September 10, where it will go into greater detail about the new product as well as other innovations, including tires with built-in sensors and can communicate with the driver, an autonomous robo-taxi, and new sensors built to recognize cyclists and pedestrians earlier than previous sensors.
