Mahle, the development partner and supplier to the global automotive industry, has taken the covers off its vehicle concept titled ‘MEET’ (Mahle Efficient Electric Transport) at the IAA 2017 which opened in Frankfurt on September 12.

MEET makes use of the new Mahle 48-volt twin-power drive unit (pictured below). It combines two electric motors, the transmission, and a 48-volt electronics system.

The Mahle IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) traction drive provides maximum efficiency and dynamics in a wide speed range. The MEET demonstrator vehicle initially contained a Mahle drive unit comprising two motors each with 14 kilowatts of mechanical continuous output and 36 newton meters of torque. At the IAA, the company is demonstrating the next evolutionary step with 20 kilowatts of continuous output and 80 newton metres of torque per motor. The motors drive the rear wheels via a central transmission.

Seven days with no need to charge
In the urban application area, the technical focus of MEET is on maximum energy efficiency. The interaction of various energy-saving technologies in the fields of powertrain and thermal management increases efficiency and significantly extends the cruising range of the vehicle.

As in all vehicles with a purely electric powertrain, one of the biggest challenges with respect to energy storage is heating the interior, particularly in winter. Indeed, by eliminating local emissions, the system lacks the most important heat source—the combustion engine. As a result, any temperature-related output such as the heating of the heating air places a burden on the battery and therefore on the vehicle’s cruising range.

According to Mahle, maximum efficiency without compromises — and even with improvements — in comfort are a top priority in MEET. It achieves thermal efficiency through measures such as a thermoelectric heat pump and surface heaters with individual comfort zones in combination with dual-zoned air conditioning. As a result, MEET achieves up to seven days of inner city trips — with just one charge. Expressed in figures, innovative thermal management increases the cruising range by 5 percent in summer and by as much as 50 percent in winter.

Zippy, agile, intuitive
In urban traffic, maximum speed is not what counts. With a top performance of 40 to 60 kilowatts —depending on the model of the motor — MEET is very zippy in the relevant speed range. The basic model of MEET accelerates from 0 to 50kph in five seconds.

When using the new Mahle motors each with a peak power of 30 kilowatts, this time drops to less than three seconds. Manoeuvering and parking are supported by the torque vectoring functionality of the Mahle twin-power drive unit: MEET is rendered exceptionally agile thanks to the selective wheel torque output of the two electric motors, says the company.

The innovative operating concept ensures that the driver is not distracted while driving but can still use all the functionality safely. Handling MEET is intuitive and simple — despite a wide range of functions such as controlling the navigation, sound, and air conditioning systems, or accessing the technical status of the vehicle. This is where the comprehensive expertise of the Mahle subsidiary BHTC comes into play. The operating concept enables a contact-free, gesture-based control, haptic feedback, and personalised comfort settings as well as the preconditioning of the interior, for example via a smartphone app during charging.

Affordable with a modular approach
Despite its technical sophistication, Mahle says MEET is an affordable vehicle platform concept. The modular approach can be flexibly transferred to a range of vehicle concepts.

Economies of scale are generated. For example, the modular drive unit may also be easily used as an e-axle in a 48-volt hybrid system. In addition, Mahle believes that all the technologies in MEET can be carried over into large-scale production.

The 48-volt approach requires fewer safety measures in comparison with high-voltage systems, reducing the cost of the drive by 25 percent.