Olaf Henning, Corporate Executive Vice President and General Manager of Mahle Aftermarket, explains the important role that air conditioning compressors play in hybrid and electric vehicles.
Attitudes towards the air conditioning compressor aren’t what they once were; formerly regarded as a comfort feature, they are now perceived as an operationally reliable component.
Air conditioning compressors play a much greater role in hybrid and electric vehicles than in those with a combustion engine.
The air conditioning service is becoming more important, opening up new service volumes for workshops.
Since the acquisition of Behr Hella Service (BHS) by Mahle Aftermarket, intense activity has been underway at our logistics centres in Poland, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France, Turkey, Russia, the USA, Brazil, South Africa and China. Mahle air conditioning compressors—both mechanically and electrically driven—are in particularly high demand.
Air conditioning compressors are at the heart of the refrigerant circuit. They condition the cabin and control the temperature of probably the most important component in the electric vehicle powertrain: the battery.
After all, keeping the traction battery at the right temperature has a crucial impact on the service life, charging speed and cruising range of the electric vehicle.
Traction motors and power electronics must also be cooled. This is transforming the role of the air conditioning compressor.
While it was previously responsible for comfort in the cabin, it is now a component of the powertrain, protecting it from damage and ensuring the operational safety of the vehicle.
Electric vehicles have to use electrically driven compressors because the circumferential ribbed belt cannot be used as a drive, as is the case of a combustion engine.
Hybrid vehicles or vehicles with a combustion engine also benefit from electrically driven compressors, since they can be operated on a demand basis, thereby reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
The extended functionality of the air conditioning compressor in the area of emobility and in hybrids is boosting the significance of the A/C service, thereby creating greater service volumes for workshops.
It is up to factors to educate their customers to inform drivers of hybrid and electric vehicles about the consequences of a system failure. These range from reduced cruising range or vehicle stoppage to damaged components. Of course, we support our customers by providing them with information material, training, and our proven A/C service and diagnostics solutions.
An old hat
In 2020, its anniversary year, Mahle Aftermarket has 1,100 different air conditioning compressors in its range.
When purchasing a product from Mahle, the company claims that its customers benefit from its expertise in the OEM business, which stems from 100 years of experience in the development and production of components for vehicles, as well as more than 30 years of experience in the area of A/C service.
