Press release
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Continental presents technologies for the
transition from fossil fuel to electrified powertrains
 José Avila delivers keynote speech at the eMobility Summit in Berlin
 Continental is working on 100 electromobility projects with 20 manufacturers
 Combustion engine and electric motor technology complement one another
Berlin/Regensburg, May 22nd, 2012. Views on electromobility together with strategic
consequences of the international automotive supplier Continental were at the center of a
keynote speech delivered by Continental Executive Board Member José Avila at the second
eMobility Summit in Berlin. “Continental feels committed to electromobility and the
electrification of vehicle functions”, Avila stated in his speech at the event organized by the
“Tagesspiegel”. Together with customers the company has pioneered battery applications,
power electronics, electric motors, and energy management, he said.
Among the industry-first examples, which the head of Continental’s Powertrain Division
listed, is the series production of electric vehicle traction motors without rare earth magnets.
At the same time Avila confirmed that Continental continues to improve combustion engine
technology. “The combustion engine needs to be further optimized to fulfill its task without
overly impacting climate and environment. After all, 95 % of all vehicles manufactured over
the next 10 years will still have a combustion engine.”
Yet, there is no clash between electrification and the combustion engine, Avila is convinced:
“To make the combustion engine fit for the oncoming transition period requires the help of
electrification. The two form a winning team. The transition from fossil fuel to electric energy
will not be abrupt but continuous. Our goal is to help make that transition as smooth and as
successful as possible.”
Motorists are in their early learning curve about eMobility
To illustrate the challenges of electrifying individual mobility Avila presented highlights from
the Continental Mobility Study, a large international study, carried out by the market research
institute infas on behalf of the automotive supplier in 2011. According to the study the price of
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e-vehicles is the biggest hurdle, which combines with range anxiety. Moreover motorists’
concerns about range appear to be more anxiety than reason: “Even drivers who only travel
short distances of up to 30 km worry greatly about the possibility that the vehicle range is
insufficient. According to the 4,000 people surveyed, cars are actually parked most of the day
and during the night, which offers plenty of charging time. Nearly every second car was not
used at all on the day of the survey. Therefore we do not only need technological solutions,
we also need open communication.” Avila’s bottom line was: Motorists are still in their very
early learning curve about e-vehicles but they are “open to electromobility.”
Overcoming the challenges requires a holistic approach
To make electromobility affordable, standardization on the component level will help to
resolve the chicken and egg dilemma of low manufacturing numbers and resulting cost
levels, the Continental Board Member explained. On the technology side electrified
powertrains may require a whole list of new solutions. This includes a new form of energy
management in the car. “In an electrified vehicle different forms of energy have to be
considered and have to be coordinated. Ideally this will go beyond the level of the individual
car. Predictive Energy Management, based on Vehicle2X networking, can bring about
remarkable improvements in fuel efficiency. It can help to make the best use of the existing
battery capacity and to maximize range”, Avila said.
Networking cars with the Internet and cell phones is a core requirement of electromobility:
“To get the most out of the limited battery capacity, the driver needs to have access to all
sorts of relevant information. This includes the weather, traffic situation, route topography
options, and available charging stations. E-vehicles will massively benefit from being ‘Always
On’. We offer AutoLinQ as a platform to connect an e-vehicle to the eco system of
electromobility.”
New solutions for heating the cabin of an electric vehicle without increasing the demand on
the traction battery are also among the activities Continental is currently working on.
Even straightforward vehicle functions such as the brakes are more challenging in an evehicle: “In a hybrid or electric car the blending of wheel brakes and regenerative braking
requires a complete separation of the brake pedal from the braking system. Our new
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integrated electro-hydraulic braking system, MK C1 was developed to optimize this blending
– plus it offers brake dynamics that set a new benchmark. Low friction tires such as the
Conti.eContact, which was especially developed for e-vehicles, will also help to maximize
range”, the Continental Board Member explained.
Avila concluded his speech by saying: “Electromobility is still young but it is coming of age
now. There is so much momentum behind e-vehicle development. At Continental alone
roughly 1,600 specialists are working either on further developing existing concepts or on
innovations for hybrid and e-vehicles. Electromobility has the potential to become a
cornerstone of sustainable individual mobility. It is the future – and we have begun to
industrialize it.”
With sales of €30.5 billion in 2011, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide.
As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis,
instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental
contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert
partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 167,000
employees in 46 countries.
The Automotive Group with its three divisions Chassis & Safety (sales of approximately €6.5 billion
in 2011, 33,000 employees), Powertrain (sales of approximately €5.8 billion in 2011, 31,000
employees) and Interior (sales of approximately €6.1 billion in 2011, 32,000 employees) achieved
sales of approximately €18.5 billion in 2011. The Automotive Group is present in more than 170
locations worldwide. As a partner of the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, it develops and
produces innovative products and systems for a modern automotive future, in which cars provide
individual mobility and driving pleasure consistent with driving safety, environmental responsibility and
cost-efficiency.
The Chassis & Safety Division develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake and chassis
control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, airbag electronics and -sensorics, washer
systems and electronic air suspension systems. Its core competence is the integration of active and
passive driving safety into ContiGuard. The Powertrain Division integrates innovative and efficient
system solutions for vehicle powertrains. The comprehensive range of products includes gasoline and
diesel injection systems, engine management, transmission control, including sensors and actuators,
as well as fuel-supply systems and components and systems for hybrid and electric drives.
Information management is at the very heart of the Interior Division, which provides a range of
products that includes instrument clusters and multifunctional displays, control units, electronic carentry systems, tire-monitoring systems, radios, multimedia and navigation systems, climate control
systems, telematics solutions and cockpit modules and systems.
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E-Mobility: Continental has been investing in the development and optimization of climate-friendly
systems and components for alternative drives for over ten years. In 100 series projects for 20
manufacturers worldwide, around 1,600 specialists are currently working on further developing
existing concepts as well as new innovations for hybrid and electric vehicles. To ensure safe, efficient,
networked and comfortable mobility, Continental is bringing together the corporation’s expertise in
integration, energy optimization, drive management, vehicle safety, information management and
tires. Hybrid and electric vehicle components from all business units can be adapted to specific
vehicle requirements worldwide, allowing them to be used in almost all vehicle classes and drive
types.
Direct queries and requests for further information to:
Simone Geldhäuser
External Communications
Continental
Powertrain Division
Siemensstr. 12
93055 Regensburg
Phone: +49 941 790-61302
Fax: +49 941 790-99 61302
mailto:simone.geldhaeuser@continental-corporation.com
www.continental-corporation.com
Your contact:
Simone Geldhäuser, Tel: +49 941 790 61302
www.continental-automotive.de