Powertrain Development
By 2050, the plan is for mobility to become carbon-neutral. To achieve this goal, the course must be set here and now. IAV is not only in full command of all drive systems but also understands the entire vehicle. The result are optimum technical solutions that are also sustainable.
The path to future carbon-neutral mobility is the key focus of powertrain development. It is not only keeping OEMs and component suppliers busy, but also occupying the minds of politicians and society. At least for a long transitional period, various options will exist side by side. In addition to conventional combustion engines (some powered by gaseous or synthetic fuels), we will also see hybrid and battery electric powertrains as well as fuel cell drive systems. The change has noticeably begun: to a large extent, new combustion engines are already hybridized, and electric mobility is gaining momentum across the globe.
In addition to our 7,000 top engineers, this is also attributable to our modern development tools. IAV Mobility Synthesis lets us compare various mobility scenarios, with customer acceptance playing a key part. For given CO2 and emission targets, IAV Powertrain Synthesis finds the optimum powertrain mix for a vehicle fleet from millions of alternatives. Tools for combustion engines, electric drives or transmissions lead to optimization at component level. Virtual development methods are providing the key to coping with the sheer diversity of vehicle variants and to shortening development times. Our high-end testing facilities – including a high-altitude climate roller dynamometer and numerous test benches for electric drives and battery systems – guarantee that all IAV solutions are fully validated. To defend our leading position, we cooperate with universities and research institutes. We organize events to foster dialog within the industry, such as the Berlin Powertrain Symposium.
„Over the next few decades, different powertrain technologies will co-exist because urban, suburban, interurban and rural mobility need to serve different requirement.”
— Executive Vice President Powertrain Systems Development
„Vehicle fleet makeup by 2050 will not only be determined by regulations but also, and to a very large extent, by end user acceptance of competing technologies.”
— Executive Vice President Powertrain & Power Engineering
