Zukunft der Mobilität - Made in Germany

Summary

The script discusses the transformation of transportation in Germany towards a more secure, efficient, and climate-neutral future. It highlights the end of the combustion engine era and the rise of electromobility, emphasizing the importance of battery production and recycling. The script also touches on the growth of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, the development of charging infrastructure by companies like Ionity, and the role of lightweight construction and digitalization in advancing autonomous driving. It mentions government support for hydrogen fuel cell technology and innovative projects like the Alster Island hydrogen train, showcasing Germany's commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The future of transportation will be a significant shift towards climate-neutral mobility for both people and goods, with changes in the next 20 years expected to be more profound than in the past 130 years.
• 🔋 The era of the combustion engine is ending, and Germany is leading the charge in new mobility solutions, with a focus on electric mobility and battery production as the cornerstone of electric vehicles.
• 🏭 Volkswagen Group has founded 'PowerCo' to take battery cell production into their own hands, emphasizing the importance of domestic battery manufacturing for the future of automotive mobility.
• 🌿 Salzgitter is set to become a blueprint for cell factories across Europe, focusing on a green unified cell produced with renewable energy and a recycling rate of over 90%.
• 📈 The market for electric vehicles, batteries, and battery recycling is vast and growing, with Chinese company Kenntempory Technology establishing its first European battery production site in Thuringia.
• 🔌 The success of electric mobility heavily depends on a comprehensive charging infrastructure, with Ionity building the largest, fastest, and most sustainable highway charging network open to all brands since its founding in 2017.
• 💡 The German government has a new Masterplan for charging infrastructure, aiming for a million charging stations by the end of 2030, with four billion euros in funding available for this expansion.
• 🚀 The lightweight construction is a key area for sustainable mobility, with the MaCarbon cluster in Germany working on over 60 projects to advance sustainable mobility solutions.
• 🌐 Digitalization is crucial for autonomous driving and reliable communication networks, with all major traffic routes expected to be equipped with 5G networks by 2025.
• 🛠️ Germany offers an optimal environment for developing and testing autonomous driving with 26 test fields, supported by the government with 100 million euros for their establishment.
• 🚍 Companies like N+ are working on projects like Atlas L4 to bring autonomous trucking to the highway by mid-century, supported by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Q & A

How is the transportation sector expected to change in the next 20 years compared to the past 130 years?

The transportation sector is expected to undergo a transformation greater than it has in the past 130 years, with a shift towards more sustainable and efficient methods, particularly with the end of the era of the combustion engine.

What is the significance of electromobility in achieving climate-friendly mobility?

Electromobility forms the basis for climate-friendly mobility, as electric vehicles are a key part of reducing carbon emissions in transportation. The script highlights the importance of battery production as the foundation of electromobility.

Why is battery production a strategic focus for the automotive industry?

Battery production is crucial as batteries are the 'engines of tomorrow.' The script mentions that Volkswagen Group has founded 'Power' to ensure they control battery cell production, emphasizing the strategic importance of this component for future mobility.

What is the significance of the PowerCo and its role in battery production?

PowerCo is a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group aimed at realizing in-house battery cell production. It is part of a strategic move to secure the supply chain and ensure the company's competitiveness in the electric vehicle market.

What is the goal of the battery production site in Salzgitter and its role in Europe?

The goal of the battery production site in Salzgitter is to serve as a blueprint for cell factories across Europe, focusing on a green unified cell produced with renewable energy and a recycling rate of over 90%.

How is the growth potential of electromobility reflected in recent vehicle registration statistics?

By mid-2022, 25% of newly registered vehicles were electric, indicating a significant shift towards electromobility. The script projects that by 2030, there will be 15 million electric vehicles on German roads.

What is the importance of a comprehensive charging infrastructure for the success of electromobility?

A comprehensive charging infrastructure is vital for the success of electromobility as it addresses range anxiety and facilitates the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The script mentions Ionity as an example of such infrastructure.

How does the German government support the development of a nationwide charging infrastructure?

The German government has developed a master plan for charging infrastructure, aiming to have one million charging stations available by the end of 2030, with four billion euros in funding allocated for this purpose.

What is the role of lightweight construction in the automotive industry and its connection to sustainability?

Lightweight construction is crucial for improving the efficiency of vehicles, reducing their environmental impact, and contributing to sustainability. The script discusses the work of the macarbon cluster in Germany, which focuses on lightweight construction in various industries, including automotive.

How does the development of autonomous driving rely on digitalization and advanced communication networks?

Autonomous driving depends on digitalization for various functions, including high-precision navigation and reliable communication between vehicles and infrastructure. The script mentions the rollout of 5G networks and the role of companies like HERE Technologies in providing the necessary digital data.

What is the significance of the Atlas L4 project in advancing autonomous trucking?

The Atlas L4 project aims to bring autonomous trucking to the highways by mid-century, showcasing the progress in autonomous driving technology and the support from the German government and industry partners.

How does the Hamburg-based company TextDatab Mobility contribute to urban logistics and sustainability?

TextDatab Mobility focuses on making cities more livable and sustainable by developing urban logistics solutions like the ecargobike UNO, which is designed to replace transporters in city logistics for the last mile delivery.

What is the role of hydrogen in the future of mobility, and how is it being supported by the German government?

Hydrogen is seen as a crucial pillar for future mobility, especially for heavy-duty vehicles and public transport. The script mentions the Alster Island, the first passenger train powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, and the German government's support through a 250 million euro funding program for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

How is the development of hydrogen infrastructure progressing in Germany?

Germany currently has 100 hydrogen refueling stations, with plans to expand to 400 by 2025, supported by a 350 million euro investment.