Whether it's internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, purely battery-electric, or fuel cell propulsion systems, the future of propulsion is diverse. And along with it, the structure, scope, and function of cooling and climate systems. One thing is clear: Properly maintaining the temperature of individual drive components is incredibly important for their performance and lifespan in electric mobility. MAHLE equips you with expertise in various thermal management systems, and we have a strategy for all types of propulsion solutions – today and tomorrow.
It's evident that efficient thermal management is what makes efficient electric mobility possible. We recognized this early on and made heating and cooling within electric vehicles a core competency of MAHLE. The forecasts support our stance:
"The revenue potential for thermal management in electric vehicles is three times higher than in vehicles with internal combustion engines. Thermal management is a driving force for electrification at MAHLE," said Jumana Al-Sibai, member of the MAHLE Group Management and responsible for this business area.
To adequately prepare workshop employees and hobby mechanics for upcoming changes, we have developed and launched the MAHLE TechTool. On techtool.mahle.com, you can find first-hand knowledge about thermal management. This tool provides free insights into technical processes, aids in active troubleshooting, and explains how vehicle air conditioning and engine cooling work under the hood.
The market for these technologies is booming: In 2021, the total volume for thermal management products worldwide reached 35 billion euros, and by 2030, MAHLE predicts it will exceed 50 billion euros.
MAHLE aims to secure a significant share of this market. The prospects are promising, as the company has developed innovative technologies to enhance the range and fast-charging capabilities of electric vehicles, while also bringing more comfort to e-mobility.
The numbers speak for themselves: In 2022, thermal management accounted for around 4.5 billion euros (+16 percent compared to 2021), making it the most revenue-generating and fastest-growing sector for MAHLE. We also extend this expertise to our partners in the independent repair market.
Another driver of growth lies in the increasing demand for thermal management components in electric vehicles. For compact electric vehicles, MAHLE expects the value of these components to increase by over 100 percent compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines.
Electrification and thermal management are closely intertwined. MAHLE is one of the very few suppliers with excellent expertise in both fields – battery-electric vehicles, hybrids, and internal combustion engines. With our high system competency, we enable smaller installation space, higher efficiency and performance, as well as lower overall costs. This allows us to provide better solutions to our automotive manufacturer customers. And with our expertise in original equipment and our products, components, and systems, we can pave the way for our partners in the trade and workshops to enter the field of thermal management. This includes training, workshop information, technical support, workshop equipment, and much more.
For instance, our new thermal management module combines heat exchangers, coolant pumps, condensers, chillers, sensors, and valves into a single unit. This saves space, development effort, and costs. At the same time, we achieve significantly improved efficiency: Our module in conjunction with a heat pump can provide up to 20 percent more range compared to a pure electric heater architecture. The enhanced cooling performance also improves fast-charging capabilities.
The new electric fan ensures efficient cooling during charging while remaining pleasantly quiet.
Another successful product is battery cooling plates, ensuring fast charging, extended range, and the longevity of sensitive lithium-ion batteries.