FRANKFURT — E-mobility and the vehicle of the future, under the theme of “Mobility Today,” was the topic of today’s Aftermarket Forum at Automechanika Frankfurt. Kicking off the daylong examination of the subject was a keynote speech by Rainer Bomba, secretary of state in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Building and Urban Development, and chairman representing the German government on the National Electro-Mobility Platform (NPE).

Introduced by Messe Frankfurt’s Detlef Braun, Bomba was described as “Mr. Electro-Mobility” for his extensive knowledge and understanding of the subject. Bomba was trained as an engineer in addition to his government experience. As Secretary of State in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Building and Urban Development, Bomba is responsible for 70 percent of Germany’s energy usage. Approximately 30 percent of primary energy usage is spent on mobility and 40 percent in the home in Germany.
 
“Mobility must be enabled and not be restricted,” Bomba emphasized. “At the same time, we have to take into account the environment. Our task is to make mobility clean, safe and affordable.”

The breeding ground for this definition of mobility has been established over the past several years, Bomba said, and significant progress has been made under the direction of Germany’s National Electro-Mobility Platform, which brings together automotive industry suppliers, lobbyists and politicians to create a common ground on the subject.

While progress has been made, it will be slowed by three threats, Bomba said: the current financial crisis, the demographic change (the German population is aging, with fewer Germans being born as well, for example), as well as the energy policy currently under consideration. Another unexpected threat is the rapid increase in the need for natural resources in the BRIC markets due to the fast-growing vehicle populations in those countries.

“We have to find a way to use energy properly, without harming the environment,” Bomba said. Given the aforementioned threats, Bomba says it is key that we develop new technologies to address these challenges. In Germany, the country is taking risks and approaching the subject with an open mind, he said. Energy-efficient technologies for e-mobility that are currently under consideration in Germany include thermal technology and hybridization, fuel cells and hydrogen, as well as second and third generation biofuels, among others.

Educating consumers is critical to the success of new technologies such as these, Bomba noted. He used the example of the panic that many Germans experienced when E10 fuel was introduced at filling stations, similar to the current concerns in the U.S. regarding E15. More advertising and PR would have helped quell consumer concerns, Bomba believes. When it comes to electric vehicles, he noted the high cost of the batteries (roughly 10,000 euros) is a consumer concern as well.

“Consumers are very good at calculations,” he said. “They are very good at weighing the pros and cons and the costs.”

Price must come down and production must increase to make these new technologies viable, he added.

Bomba also said it is projected that there will be 1 million electric vehicles on German roadways by 2020, and 6 million by 2025. This will require a strong charging infrastructure, he said, with quick charging stations and perhaps even the ability to charge the vehicle on the road as it is being driven.

Bomba’s speech was part of the full day of presentations on E-Mobility featured in Automechanika Frankfurt’s Aftermarket Forum. Tomorrow, the Aftermarket Forum will examine changes taking place in the service and collision repair markets.