Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG is heading to this year's InnoTrans in Berlin with innovative solutions for the green passenger transport of the future. The system provider for mobile industrial applications is showcasing the newly developed AEC 100 N underfloor charging module for the first time at the International Trade Fair for Transport Technology. This new form of opportunity charging can be used, for example, to charge battery-powered city streetcars safely and effectively. The Kamen-based company is also presenting its strategic partnership with the Munich-based start-up OTTOBAHN GmbH, for whose gondola system VAHLE is supplying its U25 conductor rail.

"The future of passenger transport is electric. That is why we have developed an innovative underfloor charging module for the so-called people movers that makes overhead lines superfluous. We are pleased to be able to exclusively present our high-performance charging solution for city streetcars to the public at InnoTrans in Berlin," says Achim Dries, CEO of the VAHLE Group. With the latest new development from VAHLE, battery-powered streetcars as well as e-buses can be charged quickly and effectively at bus stops. Due to the installation in the ground, neither a current collector nor an above-ground line are required. With the so-called Opportunity Charging, VAHLE opens up new possibilities in the development of autonomous passenger transport, thus contributing to the transformation of cities towards smart cities and providing a major part for the necessary traffic turnaround - no matter whether modern metropolises like Sydney or historic cities like Zaragoza.
Together with the start-up OTTOBAHN GmbH from Bavaria, the technology pioneer is also demonstrating another innovation for urban areas: an autonomous gondola system for urban passenger transport. A test track is currently being built near Munich and is scheduled to open in 2023. VAHLE supports the project with know-how and ensures that the energy supply is guaranteed at all times with its U25 conductor rail. "With our U25, we have a standard solution in our portfolio that is also used in crane systems or in automotive construction. This model is particularly characterized by low sliding resistance, which results in a high level of comfort for the guests with a convincing cost-benefit factor at the same time," says Dries.