Schaeffler is reaping the rewards of its decision to create a specific business division for electric mobility three years ago, with the announcement of the start of mass production for multiple products across all electrification levels.

Matthias Zink, CEO Automotive Technologies at Schaeffler AG commented, “We have successfully transformed ourselves into a drive system supplier for sustainable electric mobility solutions and established ourselves as a reliable partner for our customers. Schaeffler’s key point of difference is its know-how on components and system levels. We have been engaged with electric mobility for more than 20 years and we understand the drive train requirements. Our innovation capacity as a global automotive and industrial supplier, plus our strong industrial skills make us a preferred partner for our customers.”
 
Over the last few years, Schaeffler has progressively strengthened its electric mobility expertise with some well targeted acquisitions. Schaeffler now supplies technologies for all electrified drive trains. Mass production of the electric axle transmission, a key component of electric axle systems, has been running successfully since 2017, providing optimum transmission ratios and power transfer from the electric motor to the wheels. This is a highly versatile component with a wide range of applications. In the Audi e-tron, for example, Schaeffler electric axle transmissions, with different structural designs, are used on both axles for all-wheel drive capability. And the Porsche Taycan is fitted with a high-efficiency Schaeffler coaxial electric axle transmission to provide the required transmission ratio on the front axle. In 2020, the coaxial electric axle transmission earned Schaeffler the prestigious PACE Award, regarded by the industry world-wide as the hallmark for successful automotive projects. Schaeffler has also secured multiple orders for its complete “3in1 electric axles,” which combine the electric motor, drive unit and power electronics in a single system. These are high-performance electric axles with advanced power density.

This year will see the start of the mass production of hybrid modules, hybrid drive units and all-electric axle transmissions. The basis of Schaeffler’s electric motor production is a modular, highly integrated technology platform. Along with a series of mass-production orders for electric motors in the passenger car sector, Schaeffler has recently reached another milestone by entering the heavy-duty applications segment for commercial vehicles. Schaeffler has announced a mass-production order for electric motors featuring wave winding technology, a technology that provides high power density as well as advantages during assembly.
 
Dr. Jochen Schröder, President of the E-Mobility business division commented, “Our modular product portfolio enables us to offer customised volume-production solutions to meet any customer requirement.”