Smart Fluid Systems

Alternative Drives

We are currently experiencing the greatest upheaval in vehicle drive technology since the invention of the automobile. The main focus is on the carbon footprint of the entire life cycle of a vehicle, from production and operation to recycling. The focus of the analysis is on the energy source. The operation of electric vehicles, insofar as the electricity stored in the batteries is generated by alternative energy production, is CO2-neutral.

As an innovative partner to our customers, we actively explore new drive technologies and participate in the development of such systems and the design of new products.

In the case of electrically driven vehicles, lines for braking and steering systems are still required. In addition, the power units, components, and batteries in electric vehicles must be cooled. COHLINE also offers an extensive product portfolio for this field of application.

Cohline develops lines for conducting hydrogen

The main part of future drive technology will be made up of regenerative energies such as hydrogen as an energy carrier or electricity generated by means of wind power or solar modules.

Hydrogen as an energy carrier has the advantage that it can be stored and transported over long distances. Refueling with hydrogen is also comparable in time to current refueling processes with gasoline or diesel. Charging the battery of an e-vehicle takes significantly more time. The range of such e-vehicles is also not comparable with current drive technologies.

 

The production of hydrogen is significantly lower in emissions than the production of energy carriers of electrical energy (battery). Although high energy losses must be expected in the production and subsequent conversion to electricity in hydrogen fuel cells, the environmental impact is negligible, if this is produced using renewable energies. One advantage of generating hydrogen using renewable energies is that it can be stored easily. If the wind is blowing or the sun is shining, hydrogen can be produced. If there is no wind or the sun shines less, no or less hydrogen is produced. When energy is fed directly into the public grid as electricity, there is the problem that too much electricity generated by wind or sun cannot be purchased and too little "alternative" electricity must be compensated for by conventional electricity plants (coal, nuclear power plants, etc.). This is aggravated by the fact that the energy demand, especially for regenerative energies, will increase strongly in the future.

In addition to purely battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen-based drive systems will also have their raison d'être in the future. Whether these will be electric motors powered by fuel cells or internal combustion engines powered by hydrogen cannot be predicted with certainty at present. Regardless of which systems will prevail, the hydrogen must be transported safely from A to B in any case. This is made possible by suitable line systems. COHLINE develops hose lines for carrying hydrogen in vehicles.