Heidelberg has signed electric vehicle manufacturer e.GO Mobile up as a customer for its Wallbox Home Eco charging technology, furthering its position in the growing market for electromobility.

e.GO Mobile is a German automaker based in Aachen that manufactures small, attractively priced electric vehicles. Established in 2015, the company first unveiled its e.GO Life model in March 2017. The delivery of the e.GO Life First Edition has now started. 

The charging technology for the small, short-haul car, which features a functional range, is a wall-mounted box for home installation. The device is supplied by Heidelberg and is based on the company’s own in-house development, Wallbox Home Eco. When e.GO Life buyers order the optional e.GO Wallbox Home charger from e.GO, they will receive Heidelberg charging technology in the e.GO design and with the e.GO logo.

During the initial phase, approximately 10,000 e.GO vehicles are able to roll off production lines at the newly built e.GO Mobile plant in Aachen each year. The company is planning to double production capacity within a short space of time to around 20,000 vehicles. By that stage, the vehicle will be available in three models. According to estimates, around a third of all car buyers are likely to opt for their own Wallbox.

Stephan Plenz, member of the Heidelberg management board responsible for digital technology, said, ‘Heidelberg is aiming to find more partners for eMobility that will help it achieve rapid growth in this sector. That is why we are pleased to have e.GO Mobile AG as a high-volume customer for the technology in our Wallbox Home Eco.’

Heidelberg has diversified its footprint in digital printing with Primefire and the Gallus Labelfire hybrid press, while electromobility furthers its presence in non-printing markets.

‘The strategic aim being pursued at Heidelberg – leveraging innovative technologies to achieve success outside its classic core market – is continuing to bear fruit.’

Wallbox is a stationary charging device that can be installed on a wall, in a carport or on a column. The charging power can be adjusted in a range extending to 11 kW. A robust design and operation mean no maintenance or servicing is required. Heidelberg sees the Wallbox Home Eco as a basic entry-level model. Additional versions are planned, ranging as far as a premium product with intelligent technology that can also be integrated into smart homes, for example. Heidelberg is starting to launch Wallbox Home Eco step-by-step in Spain, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the UK.

e.GO Mobile CEO Professor Günter Schuh added, ‘We have total confidence in the performance, reliability and safety of charging technology from Heidelberg. The product has been designed ‏to make it easier for customers to get started with eMobility. As a result, the Heidelberg Wallbox is a perfect match for our company’s philosophy.’