Knorr-Bremse wins 41st KS Energy and Environment Award for brake drag torque reduction system

Summary

Automobilclub KS e.V. presents award to Knorr-Bremse in “Vehicle Technology” category
Brake drag torque reduction system reduces fuel consumption in urban and long-distance traffic by as much as one percent

Knorr-Bremse, the global market leader for braking systems and a leading supplier of other systems for rail and commercial vehicles, was today presented with the 41st KS Energy and Environment Award in the “Vehicle Technology” category by automobile association Automobilclub KS e.V., in recognition of the manufacturer’s brake drag torque reduction system.

From left: Ole Eilers (President Automobilclub KS e. V.), Andreas Wimmer (Member of the Management Board of Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems), Mara Bertling (Founder & Managing Director, DEIN MÜNCHEN), Veronika Hofstätter (Communications & Project Management DEIN MÜNCHEN), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Anselm (Speaker of the KS Expert Jury, former Director Allianz Versicherungs-AG, Allianz Center for Technology, Munich)

As a successful global player in the mobility industry, Knorr-Bremse develops solutions for safe, efficient, sustainable transportation. Sustainability is an integral part of Knorr-Bremse’s corporate identity, firmly embedded in the company’s corporate strategy and backed up by clear objectives. Knorr-Bremse is systematically developing its sustainability activities across all three ESG areas (Environment, Social & Governance) – in particular, by leveraging the company’s EcoDesign approach to enhance the key sustainability aspects of the company’s products throughout their life cycles.

Evidence of Knorr-Bremse’s technology and innovation leadership

Active Caliper Release (ACR) is one of Knorr-Bremse’s pioneering solutions. ACR uses a spring-loaded system to release the brake pad from the brake disc and recenter the caliper, reducing fuel consumption by up to one percent and cutting down wear and tear on brake pads.

But the brake drag torque reduction system, which was successfully introduced into the OE market as an ACR solution in 2021, does not just focus on new disc brake models. In the future, it will be possible to retrofit a comparable brake drag torque reduction system to any standard Knorr-Bremse braking system currently on the market.

Bernd Spies, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG and responsible for the Commercial Vehicles division, is delighted: “Of course it gives us very special pleasure to win the 41st KS Energy and Environment Award. From a very early stage, we’ve been developing innovative solutions at Knorr-Bremse that feature superior functionality, efficiency, reliability and sustainability, and generate added value for our customers. Our brake drag torque reduction system is already helping to reduce fuel consumption in urban and long-distance transport applications by as much as one percent.”

Wolfgang Krinner, Member of the Management Board of Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH, adds that: “Being presented with this award by Automobilclub KS e.V. is yet another acknowledgement of our leadership in technology and innovation. Our ACR system for reducing brake drag torque is all about improving energy efficiency and further reducing vehicles’ environmental footprint, regardless of the drive technology they use.”

Under the patronage of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) , Automobilclub KS e.V. has been presenting the annual KS Energy and Environment Award for more than 40 years, in recognition of pioneering developments that help to cut the mobility sector’s consumption of energy and resources and pave the way for climate-friendly transportation. The association also pays out EUR 5,000 in prize money to the winner in each category (Vehicle Technology / Mobility Systems). Knorr-Bremse is donating this year’s winnings to DEIN MÜNCHEN (“YOUR MUNICH”), an independent, non-profit organization that works to create equitable conditions for young people seeking to enter the job market.

Previously, in September 2022, Knorr-Bremse’s brake drag torque reduction award was the winner of the Automechanika Frankfurt trade fair’s Innovation Award in the “Parts & Innovative Technologies” category.