Electric vehicles are taking on an ever more significant role on the automotive market. Given carbon emissions targets and the public debate surrounding climate action, PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) and BEV (battery electric vehicles) are very much part of the conversation. German OEMs are currently adding to their product ranges accordingly. The number of available PHEV and BEV models grows by the year.

HÖRMANN Automotive, too, is constantly making adjustments in line with the market and is setting its factory in Wackersdorf up to be suitable for work relating to electric vehicles. ‘However, we are focusing not only on the products of OEMs but also on the infrastructure that is absolutely essential for electric vehicles to function in the first place,’ said Markus Schaffranka, managing director of the factory in Wackersdorf. HÖRMANN Automotive has established itself as an assembly partner to WIRELANE. In the first quarter of 2020, the company also gained WALLBE as a customer.

For WIRELANE, it assembles single and double pedestals producing 11 kW to 22 kW as well as wall-mounted and lamppost-mounted charging points producing 3.7 kW to 22 kW in various components. In addition to assembly, services provided include procurement, supplier management, inbound and outbound supply chain services and validation (Module D).

HÖRMANN Automotive is thereby addressing a market that is set to grow markedly over the next few years. In 2019, the German federal government presented key points for a climate protection programme with the aim of achieving the following targets: there are to be one million charging points available by 2030. The government will be funding the expansion of public charging stations up to 2025 and has presented a charging infrastructure master plan. There are to be charging points at all filling stations in Germany and in customer car parks. The federal government is anticipating that most people will charge their cars at home or at work. Funding is therefore also being provided for charging infrastructure for private homes and businesses. HÖRMANN Automotive will have an important contribution to make in this regard.