Press Release
Key Component in the Electric Drive: Award-Winning
Continental Power Electronics Further Optimized
 The new generation of more compact power electronics, which will be launched in
August 2015, controls the power of hybrid and electric vehicles even more efficiently.
 The system is of central importance for the electric drive's power, and makes it fun to
drive
 Modular and scalable concept: the Continental system is used in nearly all vehicle
segments
 Audi Quality Award for Budapest production site
Regensburg, April 21, 2015. When it comes to hybrid and electric vehicles, there appear to be
many seemingly straightforward general assumptions. The range of the electric drive is determined
by the battery; its acceleration characteristics by the electric motor. Yet in both cases, there is
another decisive factor: the efficiency of the entire electric drive system – and this is determined
primarily by the power electronics. This electronic system, which controls both the power as well as
the energy recovery (recuperation), has a major influence here. It is also responsible for fully
utilizing the potential of the electric drive, thereby making it fun to drive, which is caused in part by
the high starting torque and the response behavior of electric motors. Continental, international
automotive supplier and innovation driver in e-mobility for over ten years, is already producing the
second generation of power electronics for five European automotive manufacturers. And now, the
next generation is ready to be launched. This system, which is even more compact and even more
powerful, will enter series production in August 2015.
"The currently slightly muted euphoria regarding electro mobility will not prevent electrified drives
from playing an important role on the automotive market in the long term. Because relying purely
on combustion engines, it is becoming increasingly difficult to comply with the ever stricter
guidelines, which are in force around the world. By 2020 alone, these guidelines demand
reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions ranging from 20 to 35 percent," says Dr. Bernd
Mahr, Head of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Business Unit, which belongs to the Continental
Powertrain Division. "Regarding electrified drives, we will see a stronger focus on two market
sectors in the future. One of these is plug-in hybrid vehicles, because they can be driven purely on
electricity on a daily basis without placing restrictions on the range of car journeys. The second
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Your contact:
Simone Geldhäuser, Tel: +49 94179061302
-2-
field is vehicles with hybrid systems based on 48 V. Because this new technology can be
integrated very easily into the architecture of conventionally powered vehicles and leads to
considerable fuel savings – and the costs remain acceptable." Continental is going to launch its "48
Volt Eco Drive" system on the market as early as 2016.
Third generation with six times the power and a reduced weight
"In addition to the functionality and efficiency of the power electronics, the space requirements and
weight are important criteria for automotive manufacturers. This is why we are constantly working
on further increasing our system's power to size ratio," says Axel Weber, Head of Power
Electronics Development in the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Business Unit. "The third generation of our
power electronics is six times more powerful than the first generation. This means that it can
operate an engine six times as powerful. The system's weight has also been reduced from around
12 kg originally to around 8 kg today." He also states that the costs in relation to power (price per
kW) have also decreased considerably and the development time has been shortened. By
contrast, the range of application has become even broader. "The new system generation will
enter series production in the summer in plug-in hybrids. But it can also be used in all-electric
vehicles as well as in all vehicle segments right up to powerful sports cars," says Weber. And other
Continental systems are also set to benefit from the further increase in expertise regarding emobility. "Our '48 Volt Eco Drive' is largely based on experience gained in the development of
power electronics. And naturally, our latest findings and innovations will be incorporated into the
48-V technology." The Continental expert also appears in a new video that illustrates the function
of the power electronics and explains the innovations of the third generation.
Control center between electric motor, battery, and 12-V on-board power supply
Continental's power electronics is designed as a modular and scalable system, and is used in a
wide range of vehicles from the mild hybrid right up to the electric car, from the small car up to the
luxury sedan. The system is a key component in every electrified drive, as it supplies both the
electric motor as well as the high-volt battery with electricity – when the electric motor works as a
generator and feeds electricity into the battery (recuperation). For functional reasons, the power
electronics is therefore positioned between the high-volt battery and electric motor, regardless of
where the control unit is installed in the vehicle.
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Your contact:
Simone Geldhäuser, Tel: +49 94179061302
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The battery supplies the electrical energy as direct current, but the electric motor needs a threephase alternating current. The power electronics converts the electricity accordingly, and guides it
towards the engine in the required amperage and frequency; the engine is controlled by means of
these parameters. Without the power electronics, the reverse procedure would not be possible.
During recuperation, the power electronics converts the alternating current generated by the
electric motor into direct current, and thus charges the battery. The power electronics is also
responsible for supplying the 12 V on-board power supply of the hybrid and electric vehicles with
power. The energy exchange between the high-volt grid (up to 450 V depending on the system)
and the 12 V grid is guaranteed by a DC/DC converter, which also makes the traditional dynamo
redundant. Another function of the power electronics is that it enables reverse driving by reversing
the polarity and thus changing the electric motor's direction of rotation. The two central
components in the power electronics are the inverter and the DC converter. An important factor in
the success of the Continental system is the innovative inverter, which enables a high number of
cycles and makes a significant contribution to the efficiency of this power electronics. The DC/DC
converter is also highly efficient, as it converts the voltage almost loss-free. Another special feature
of the Continental system is that both components are integrated into a housing, and this makes
the power electronics extremely compact.
Headquarters of Hybrid Electric Vehicle in Nuremberg, quality award from Audi for
Budapest site
The Continental Hybrid Electric Vehicle Business Unit is in charge of all core elements of the
electric drive: power electronics, electric motors, and battery management. It has its headquarters
in Nuremberg, where it operates a state-of-the-art test and development center for power
electronics. This electronic has been produced at the Nuremberg site for a long time now. The
Business Unit has also been developing and producing the systems at the Continental site in
Budapest since 2011. This second power electronics plant of Continental recently received a high
award from a German premium manufacturer: the Audi Quality Award "Prevention & Reliability
2014."
Continental is a technology leader in the field of electro mobility, and has proven its wide-ranging
expertise in this area by means of many innovations, including the first serial hybrid system in
Europe (2003) and the world's first separately excited synchronous motor without rare earths
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(2011). In addition, the widely-established automotive supplier with its different divisions meets all
requirements placed on vehicles with an electrified drive from a single source: from integration,
energy optimization, and drive management, right up to vehicle safety, information management,
and energy-saving tires.
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner,
the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe,
comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated sales of approximately
€34.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tires, and ContiTech. Continental
currently employs approximately 200,000 people in 53 countries.
The Powertrain division develops and produces efficient system solutions for vehicle powertrains to
optimize fuel consumption. The comprehensive range of products includes gasoline and diesel injection
systems, engine management and transmission control, including sensors and actuators, exhaustaftertreatment technologies, fuel-supply systems and components, and systems for hybrid and electric
drives. Powertrain employs over 34,500 people worldwide. In 2014, it recorded sales of about €6.5 billion.
Contact for journalists
Simone Geldhäuser
External Communications
Continental, Powertrain Division
Siemensstr. 12 / 93055 Regensburg
Phone: +49 941 790 61302
E-mail: Simone.Geldhaeuser@continentalcorporation.com
This press release is available in the following languages: German, English
Link to the film: http://videoportal-en.continentalcorporation.com/vsc_5957_3542_1_vid_836443/more-power-more-fun-to-drive-the-new-powerelectronics.html
Links
Online press portal:
www.continental-presse.com
Online video portal:
http://videoportal.continental-corporation.com/
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Your contact:
Simone Geldhäuser, Tel: +49 94179061302