European Champion in E-mobility - How the Automotive Industry Combines Climate Policy and Structural Change

The automotive industry is the key industry in Germany. The corona crisis is leading to massive slumps, and the switch to electromobility will cost EUR 150 billion in investment. Nevertheless, German manufacturers are already market leaders in e-cars and are counting on eFuels and hydrogen as part of their plan to achieve climate-neutral mobility by 2050 at the latest. However, new EU projects could mean the end of many automotive locations in Germany.

General Information on the Presentation

The presentation was held in German and took place as an online event via Zoom.

The event was part of the series October 2020 till March 2021:

„The New World (Dis)order – How Business and Politics Can Build a Post-pandemic New Normal“

The aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic is enormous, not only in health terms but also economically and politically. How can a sustainable recovery from its effects be achieved? To answer this question, different perspectives must be taken: The crisis has fueled geopolitical changes, e.g. in the power relations between the EU, USA and China, which have already begun. What new alliances are emerging and what is breaking up? The crisis could also be a catalyst for questioning and realigning traditional industrial structures. Who is losing? Who is benefiting? For the governments of the affected states, the rescue measures have cost a lot of money. High levels of national debt are therefore fuelling concerns that taxes will have to be raised and state benefits cut in the future. What does this mean for prosperity? The coronavirus pandemic has also significantly impaired efforts to provide education and training, especially for young people – and may redistribute income and wealth now and in the future. We are moreover seeing how the crisis is accelerating the digitalisation of the economy. This will change the way we work. How can we counteract risks and make the best possible use of opportunities?