Vision and Challenges

Society and the economy in general, and the industry in particular, have to deal with increasing demand for fossil fuels, from Europe, the U.S.A. and from key emerging countries such as China and India. On the other hand the availability of petroleum crude oil is limited. For the automotive industry, that means to be prepared for a future of multiple energy carriers and the end of dependence on crude oil as the single most important source of energy for the industry.

Another challenge is the need for further reductions of CO₂ emissions, just as numerous technological innovations in the internal combustion engine and exhaust systems (filter and converter technologies, optimisation of combustion processes, etc.) have already yielded significant benefits.

Finally, the industry needs to ensure that new propulsion technology will be cost efficient.
 

Powertrains for different energy sources, as well as storage and distribution systems, have to be developed and adapted further. Each of these steps (primary energy base, energy carriers, power trains, storage and distribution) has to be balanced against the environmental, social and ethical demands of society in order to avoid, for example, unfair competition between food and fuel for arable land.

To achieve success, effective actions need to be taken urgently by adopting an integrated approach from the key stakeholders: energy industry, automotive industry, national governments and the European Commission. With respect to propulsion an innovative powertrain scenario is needed which is based on specific needs for mobility. Hence, different efficient and affordable propulsion technologies must be developed.

  Graphic: Reduction of emissions