The mobility sector is moving quickly, provoking far-reaching structural changes and challenges. Social developments, such as changing mobility needs, the increasing connectivity within all areas of life and the need for climate protection play an important role in this. In addition, there are technological innovations and developments in the area of digitalisation and automation as well as in the field of alternative drive and fuels technologies.
Mobility is an indispensable part of today’s world and must remain accessible for everybody, regardless of any social status. Ecological, economic, and social balance is a must; however, success of an advanced mobility system will depend on whether new forms of mobility and mobility solutions are accepted and suit people’s realities and needs.
The German Federal Government has responded to these developments by launching the National Platform on the Future of Mobility (NPM) in September 2018. Until the end of 2021, the NPM has developed forward-looking concepts and recommendations for action and provided political advice to the federal government. The work of the NPM ended with the legislative period of the 19th German Bundestag.
In addition to the work of the NPM and to continue the successful cooperation with the Dutch partners, the mobility division of the National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) as the former chairman’s office of NPM is available to contact for further information.
For more information on the work of the National Platform Future of Mobility, feel free to take a look at the Results Report 2021 or other NPM studies below.
NPM (2021): Tomorrow’s mobility – a holistic design Results from three years of NPM (2018 – 2021) (English)
The transformation of mobility requires immediate and consistent action in the transport sector with a view to climate protection. It must be accompanied by specialist expertise and is a joint task for society, politics and industry. Roadmaps and instruments for alternative drives and fuels point the way to more climate protection in transport. Dynamic development of future-proof charging and refuelling infrastructures is needed. The use of digitalization is driving the mobility of tomorrow, and standards and norms are ensuring a successful mobility transformation. New value-added cycles and future-proof jobs are a central building block for an innovative mobility and industrial location in Germany. Please find the complete document here.
NPM (2021): Roadmap “Market ramp-ups of alternative drive systems and fuels from a technological perspective” (German with Executive Summary in English)
The roadmap “Market ramp-ups of alternative drives and fuels from a technological perspective” of NPM working group 2 is based on a technology-open approach and considers the market ramp-ups of alternative drives and fuels on a mode-specific basis. Not every technology option is equally suitable for different applications. The roadmap therefore derives recommendations for action geared to the mode of transport in order to achieve the necessary ramp-up in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and aviation and shipping. Please find complete document here.
NPM (2021): Charging infrastructure for battery electric trucks (German with Executive Summary in English)
Against the backdrop of the effective fleet limits for heavy commercial vehicles from 2025, there is increasing pressure for action to set the course for a ramp-up of electromobility in the truck sector as well. This report identifies concrete needs for action in order to ensure a demand-driven, economical and nationwide development of private and public charging infrastructure for battery electric trucks (BEV trucks). The recommendations for action cover the areas of charging scenarios, grid connection, depot charging and public charging. Please find complete document here.
German Federal Government (2020): The National Hydrogen Strategy. (English)
By tabling the National Hydrogen Strategy, the Federal Government is providing a coherent framework for the generation, transport and use of hydrogen, encouraging the relevant innovations and investment. The Strategy sets out the steps that are needed to meet the German climate targets, create new value chains for the German economy and foster energy policy cooperation at international level. Please find complete document here.
NPM (2020): Workshop Report Drive Change Commercial Vehicles – Ways to Decarbonize Heavy Trucks with a Focus on Electrification (German with Executive Summary in English)
A good half of all emissions in the commercial vehicle sector come from heavy trucks, which are often used in long-distance transport. The Climate Protection Program 2030 sets the target of electrifying one third of the mileage. However, there are hardly any market-ready technologies for heavy goods transport, and the logistics sector is characterized by a wide heterogeneity of vehicle types and application profiles and also operates in a tough international competitive environment. The report therefore analysed the three possible technology paths – battery electric drive (BEV), hydrogen and fuel cell technology (H₂BZ) and overhead line hybrid (OH) – their marketability and the policy instruments required for this. Please find complete document here.
