Continental is gearing up to start the series production on the first fully integrated axle electric powertrain in China. The brand known for its tyres has been providing with electric mobility solutions and the company will now present at, the IAA 2019 the third generation of electric powertrains. The high-performance, light and compact electric drivetrains will be employed by numerous Chinese and European electric vehicle manufacturers.
The powertrain manufacturing department of Continental is going to play a major role as a supplier for highly integrated systems for the mass market. The highly integrated electric axle drive combines a high-voltage drive, reduction gears and power electronics all in a single housing. Engineers have also further improved the individual components to synchronize them optimally and the new fully integrated drive axle tips the scale at just 80 kgs. The electric parking lock function has also been added to the transmission system.
The integrated axle drive is equivalent to a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and develops 150kW/201 HP of power and 310 Nm of torque. The powertrain also comes in a less powerful 120kW equivalent to 161 HP of power. The electric motor and power electronics of the new system are liquid-cooled.
Due to its performance and size, the electric motor is suitable for many vehicle types in the Asian and European market. One such OEM that Continental is currently setting up is Sono Motors from Germany which uses the technology on the Sion electric vehicle. The Sion electric vehicle is the first production series car to integrate solar cells in its body which can produce enough energy to enhance the EV’s range.
The series production of the new axle drive will begin in the third quarter of 2019, at Continental’s plant in Tianjin, China.