Engine Community Calls for More Technological Diversity and E-fuels

Fast Paths to Defossilization

Professor Dr.-Ing. Peter Gutzmer, the long-standing scientific director of the congress, summed up the assessment of the assembled international engine community: “We need technological diversity in order to transform our fossil-based energy system as quickly as possible into a CO2-neutral, globally networked energy and mobility network that guarantees social prosperity and security of supply.” The participants expect politicians to make policy decisions that provide investment security for alternative fuels. 
Gutzmer is convinced: “The combustion engine has a future – and we are shaping this future!” 

Planning Security for the Automotive Industry

Matthias Zink, President of the European suppliers' association CLEPA, took a similar position: in addition to the consistent strengthening of e-mobility, he advocated the inclusion of e-fuels in fleet values and the consideration of hydrogen technologies. An adapted EU step-by-step plan with realistic targets for the automotive industry is necessary, especially in view of the tense economic situation and job cuts in numerous supplier companies: “For this reason, I would like to see more planning security through a wider range of technologies, an adequate infrastructure and funding programs that stimulate innovation.” He looks to Brussels with cautious optimism, as for the first time there is a willingness to engage in holistic discussions on this topic. He received support from keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Andrea Wechsler (CDU), Member of the European Parliament. She expressed her conviction that Europe must face global political and industrial challenges with greater independence. According to her, framework conditions should be redefined in order to reduce dependencies on raw material and product supply chains. 

Focus on Life Cycle Analyses

Prof. Dr. Kulzer, Director of the Institute of Automotive Engineering Stuttgart (IFS), University of Stuttgart, outlined what the climate-friendly mobility of tomorrow could look like. In particular, he advocated the inclusion of life cycle analyses in legislation. His credo: “We need joint efforts for climate and environmental protection and should work on all available technologies – not least to preserve the German and European automotive industry.” Winfried Mack, economic policy spokesperson for the CDU parliamentary group in Baden-Württemberg, emphasized: “We need to focus on what we can do in Germany and Europe – and that is engines.”

The Potential of E-fuels

E-fuels can make a decisive contribution to limiting greenhouse gas emissions by allowing existing fleets to be converted to a defossilized fuel in the shortest possible time. Frank Atzler, holder of the Chair of Internal Combustion Engines and Drive Technology at TU Dresden, explained this position in his highly acclaimed presentation: “When it comes to defossilizing the old fleet, we are talking about around 50 million vehicles in Germany alone – and over a billion vehicles worldwide.” But here, too, politicians are called upon to make alternative fuels more attractive, for example through tax breaks or discounts on the truck toll.

Trade Exhibition and Networking Opportunities

The lecture program was rounded off by a lively panel discussion, also on the topic of e-fuels, as well as the annual accompanying trade exhibition, which presented innovative products and services. The popular engine community evening also provided an opportunity for networking.