Mercedes-Benz Trucks has inaugurated a new development centre for electric motors at its Gaggenau plant, marking a significant step in advancing electrification within commercial vehicles. The facility, known as the ‘Technikum’ technical centre, will focus on the process development and prototype construction of electric motors tailored specifically for trucks.
“The opening of our technical centre represents an important milestone in this process,” said Thomas Twork, site manager for the Gaggenau plant. “This is where we will develop innovative technologies and associated production processes for electric motors in the future.”
According to a press release, the technical centre is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery designed for the production of electric drives. Mercedes-Benz Trucks collaborated with Baden-Württemberg specialist Gehring to establish the centre, which will now engage in the production and testing of prototypes for electric engines, termed “truck-e-fied,” while refining production processes.
The 900-square-metre facility houses around 20 employees and includes specialized areas such as a clean room for precise measurements under controlled conditions. The layout of the centre was optimized through simulation in 2023 to enhance operational efficiency, with provisions for knowledge transfer through integrated learning workshops.
Key areas of focus at the centre include the development of hairpin windings, a technology utilizing solid copper rods in a hairpin shape to enhance the energy density of stator coils compared to conventional wound copper wire.
“This facility underscores our commitment to advancing electrification in commercial vehicles,” Twork added. The Gaggenau plant, traditionally focused on heavy commercial vehicle transmissions, will now evolve into a centre of excellence for electric drive components and assembly of hydrogen-based fuel cell units.
