At the IAA, German car manufacturers appear unimpressed by the crises of recent years. Unlike the Chinese brands, which have learned from their mistakes and are back with renewed self-confidence.
By Christian Domke Seidel
At the start of the IAA motor show, Mercedes boss Källenius and Bavaria's Minister President Söder are calling for the ban on new combustion engines to be weakened from 2035. The SPD is calling for better support for electric cars.
By Lukas Knigge, Julia Fiedler, Markus Grabitz
Electromobility, a key issue in the modern transportation transition, plays a decisive role in the fight against climate change and dependence on fossil fuels. It offers an alternative to conventional combustion engines, which cause high CO₂ emissions, and is intended to drive forward the decarbonization of the transport sector in the long term. However, electromobility is much more than just the use of electric vehicles. It also encompasses a wide range of technological, infrastructural and political aspects. Read all the news on the latest developments, challenges and prospects relating to electromobility from the Table.Briefings editorial team here. What is electromobility? Electromobility refers to the use of electrically powered vehicles that are powered by rechargeable batteries or fuel cells. The main focus is on electric cars, but it also includes e-bikes, e-scooters, electric buses and trucks as well as rail transportation. With the ongoing expansion of the charging infrastructure and support from government programs, electric mobility is becoming more and more integrated into everyday life. Is electromobility the future of mobility? Electromobility is seen by many experts as the future of mobility. One of the main advantages of electric vehicles (EVs) is their potentially emission-free operation, provided the electricity comes from renewable energy sources. This helps to drastically cut CO₂ emissions in the transportation sector and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Electric vehicles are also more efficient than conventional combustion engines, as they are more efficient and lose less energy in the form of heat. Nevertheless, there are a number of challenges standing in the way of electromobility. These include the production of batteries, which requires considerable quantities of rare earths and raw materials, as well as the question of how sustainable the disposal and recycling of these batteries can be. The range of electric vehicles and the availability of charging stations also remain critical issues. Promoting electromobility: government measures There are various funding programs in Germany to promote electromobility. The best known is the environmental bonus, which is granted when an electric vehicle is purchased. This bonus consists of a state subsidy and a share from the car manufacturer. The Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) is responsible for processing the subsidy, and the corresponding application can be submitted on its portal. The funding for electric mobility includes both purely battery-powered vehicles and plug-in hybrids. What are the goals of electric mobility? Making the transport sector more climate-friendly and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the central goal of electric mobility. This is also part of the Paris Climate Agreement, which commits Germany to becoming climate-neutral by 2050. In order to achieve these goals for electric mobility, the German government is focusing on expanding the charging infrastructure, promoting research and development in the field of battery technology and providing financial incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles. Another aim of electromobility is to reduce noise emissions in urban areas. Electric vehicles are virtually silent in operation and therefore contribute to an improved quality of life in cities. Disadvantages of electromobility Despite all the advantages that electromobility undoubtedly offers, it alone cannot be the final solution in the fight against climate change. Electromobility: the charging infrastructure One of the biggest hurdles that electromobility still has to overcome is the charging infrastructure. A nationwide, well-developed infrastructure is essential to boost consumer confidence in electric vehicles. Although there are currently many charging stations in Germany, they are unevenly distributed. There is still a lot of catching up to do, especially in rural areas. In addition to the number of charging points, charging speed also plays an important role. Fast charging is of great importance for the everyday usability of electric vehicles. Intensive research is being carried out into new technologies to further reduce charging times and increase user-friendliness. Electromobility: Germany in international comparison An international comparison clearly shows that Germany still has some catching up to do in some areas of electromobility. Countries such as Norway, the Netherlands and China invested in the expansion of electromobility at an early stage and have taken on a pioneering role. Germany, as a major automotive location, stuck to the combustion engine for a long time and only switched to electromobility relatively late. Nevertheless, a lot has happened in recent years. Thanks to government subsidies and growing pressure from the automotive industry, electromobility has also become established in this country. Electromobility and the future of the market A look at the stock market shows that many companies are benefiting from electromobility. Manufacturers of electric vehicles such as Tesla and Chinese companies such as BYD in particular have recorded enormous share price gains in recent years. Suppliers of batteries and charging infrastructure are also in the focus of investors. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years as the market for electric vehicles grows worldwide. Companies in the renewable energy sector are also benefiting, as electromobility relies on a clean energy supply. The expansion of wind and solar energy and the development of smart grids that enable the efficient use of electricity are closely linked to the success of electromobility. Electromobility is a key component of the modern transportation transition and will play a decisive role in the mobility sector in the long term. Despite the challenges, particularly in terms of charging infrastructure and battery sustainability, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Government support for electromobility is helping to increase the acceptance and spread of electric vehicles, and the automotive industry has also long since recognized the shift towards electromobility. However, it is doubtful whether electromobility is the sole solution to the climate crisis. Rather, it must be part of an overarching concept that also includes the expansion of renewable energies and a fundamental realignment of the transportation system.
