Key takeaways
- Mahle chargeBIG showed the new Smallbox Public at the Power2Drive trade fair.
- One base and one installation serve up to four AC charging points.
- Each charging point can deliver up to 22 kW.
- Less groundwork and fewer bases are designed to save cost and time.
- Through a partner, financing, leasing and rental will also be available.
What is Mahle chargeBIG showing at Power2Drive?
Mahle chargeBIG showed a new AC solution at the Power2Drive trade fair in Munich. AC stands for alternating current. It is the usual way to charge electric cars over several hours. The solution is called Smallbox Public. It was built together with partner Langmatz. It was the most important new item at the stand.
What exactly can the Smallbox Public do?
The terminal combines four charging points on one shared basic installation. A basic installation is all the technology in the ground and the supply line. It only needs to be built once. Each charging point can deliver up to 22 kW. This requires the power line and the vehicle to support it.
- Up to four AC charging points with one basic installation
- Up to 22 kW output per charging point
- Sign in with a charging card, credit or debit card, or via app
- Display for adverts or information from the charging operation
How does Mahle chargeBIG aim to save cost and time?
The approach mainly targets less groundwork. Groundwork here means excavation work for cables and bases. Fewer bases mean less installation work. In a video interview with electrive, CEO Matthias Kreimeier states the goal clearly. We need to reduce bases to a minimum.
„One installation, one base, four charging points.“
— Matthias Kreimeier, CEO von Mahle chargeBIG, im Video-Interview mit electrive
Who is the solution for?
The Smallbox Public mainly targets local councils and operators of public parking areas. According to Kreimeier, AC charging stays important where many parking bays need to be upgraded electrically. Fast charging alone does not cover these cases.
- Local councils with many public car parks
- Operators of public parking areas
- Sites where cars park for a long time
Which financing models are planned?
Mahle chargeBIG does not only want to sell charging infrastructure. Through a partner, financing, leasing and rental should also be available. This lets operators pick the right model for their use case and budget. The source does not name which partner this is.
What does the mobile solution offer?
Alongside the Smallbox Public, Mahle chargeBIG is also showing a revised mobile charging solution. It has become smaller and lighter. The new feature: it can now also bill for the electricity. This means it can charge money for the power used. It is designed for events, building sites and other short-term uses.
How does Mahle chargeBIG view the market?
„The customers are back.“
— Matthias Kreimeier, CEO von Mahle chargeBIG, mit Blick auf die Gespräche auf der Power2Drive
Kreimeier sees electromobility on the up again after a difficult phase. He says this is an important signal for the charging ecosystem. At the same time, he warns that the rollout cannot rely on fast charging alone.
What the source does not state
The source gives no start date or price for the Smallbox Public. There is also no information on calibration law compliance or on the specific financing partner. Calibration law means whether billing is officially calibrated.
Frequently asked questions
- How many charging points does the Smallbox Public have?
- Up to four AC charging points are possible on one shared basic installation.
- How much power does each charging point deliver?
- Up to 22 kW per charging point, provided the power line and the vehicle support it.
- Which sign-in methods are planned?
- Charging card, credit or debit card, and app. The display can be used for adverts or information.
- When does sales start and what does the solution cost?
- The source gives no start date or price.
