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Over 1,000 people from research, development and global industry discussed drive systems and energy sources for climate-neutral mobility on land, water and in the air

In order to phase out fossil fuels and to bring the issue of greenhouse gases under control, we need not just one, but all technically and economically feasible solutions. Organiser of the International Vienna Motor Symposium, TU Professor Bernhard Geringer, emphasised at the opening of this 46th summit of global vehicle and engine developers and the vehicle industry, that the assessment of ‘Net Zero Mobility’ must not only consider emissions during operation, but the entire cycle of a vehicle from raw material extraction and production to disposal. ‘The goal should be more accurately referred to as ‘defossilisation’ instead of ‘decarbonisation’. To achieve this goal, we need a concerted effort and the full physical variety of climate-neutral energy sources, including the appropriate drive technologies.’

Openness to all technological approaches in the drive systems provides flexibility and security: ‘Europe’s industry and trade need planning security. This urgently requires reliable regulations from politicians,’ demanded Professor Geringer. In addition to the passenger and commercial vehicle industry, the sustainable energy industry is particularly interested in a reliable legal framework so that investments in development and production can be planned for the longer term. ‘The current EU fleet legislation of pure vehicle greenhouse gas emissions is insufficient and must give way to an overall system view – as in Japan, for example. This will also give climate-neutral fuels and energy-efficient drives such as range extenders (REX) a chance. China is showing us how with its new energy vehicles – BEVs and REXs.’

Horse Powertrain: New sector in the automotive industry
In Vienna, Matias Giannini, CEO of Horse Powertrain, a joint venture founded in London in 2024 between Geely, one of China’s largest car manufacturers (including brands such as Volvo), Renault and the Saudi Aramco Group, elaborated on Professor Geringerº£½ÇÖ±²¥ statements. Horse Powertrain offers complete powertrains for virtually every car manufacturer in the world. This means that manufacturers do not need to develop and build every engine and transmission in-house and they do not need to invest in creating different powertrains for the many different market requirements. Instead, a specialist can supply the appropriate modular solution tailored to the manufacturerº£½ÇÖ±²¥ specific needs. ‘By 2040, there will still be one billion combustion engines on the roads. Horse Powertrain is building the missing link: Hybrids, synthetic fuels and a modular system designed for compatibility with electric and multi-fuel platforms. Our solutions streamline production and give OEMs the flexibility to adapt their powertrain strategies to the specific requirements of each market. We are shaping a new sector – because the future will not be determined by a single technology, but by those who master many. We need a whole orchestra, not just the soloists. This is how we combine the challenges of today with the net-zero targets of tomorrow.’

China and India developing independent hydrogen economies
The presentation by Markus Heyn, Member of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH and Chairman of Bosch Mobility, Stuttgart, also dealt with Asia’s new role in the automotive industry: ‘The global vehicle industry is increasingly looking to Asia, and Bosch is also at the forefront there with its expertise. China is the biggest automobile market in the world, this size drives innovation. Chinaº£½ÇÖ±²¥ rate of innovation is double as fast as Europeº£½ÇÖ±²¥, which also means there is more innovation within the sector. Among other things, China is the leading market for battery and hybrid vehicles. New drive technologies are now being introduced first, especially in the Middle Kingdom. Part of the recipe for success is close cooperation between manufacturers and suppliers as well as intelligently set framework conditions. This has allowed China, for example, to ramp-up hydrogen mobility, which is particularly important for lorries. India has also started to develop its own hydrogen economy. In Europe, we must learn from China and India.’

The future of drive systems has many dimensions
Mercedes-Benz Group also emphasised its ‘consistent course towards balance sheet CO₂ neutrality’ at the Vienna Motor Symposium: ‘By 2039 we want our balance sheet to show we are carbon neutral.’ As the Vice President Electrified Drive Systems at MB Cars Development, Stuttgart, Torsten Eder, said, the core principles of drive strategy, performance, efficiency and flexibility, are at the centre of this transformation. Specifically, the company presented technological innovations such as the new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) in Vienna, which enables maximum versatility – from highly efficient battery-electric drives with high charging speeds and ranges to modern 48 V hybrid systems with an electric 8-speed transmission. 800 V is the new standard.

New concepts such as the compact axial flux electric motor will open up new possibilities in the field of performance electromobility in the near future. In AMG ‘the new E-motor is the V8 for the electric age. But the classic V8 will not become obsolete. ‘With this broad drive portfolio, it will also be possible to offer the perfect vehicle for every customer need in the future. ‘Mercedes-Benz will continue to offer the perfect drive for every customer requirement in the future – battery-electric or hybrid. With performance, efficiency and flexibility, the company is taking its many years of drive expertise into a new era of mobility.’ (Eder)

90 per cent of all buses to be electric in future
Frederik Zohm, Executive Board Member for Research & Development at MAN Trucks & Bus, emphasised the future importance of battery-electric drives for commercial vehicles: ‘They currently have clear advantages over other drive concepts in terms of energy efficiency and operating and energy costs. The CO₂ emissions of the current MAN truck fleet amount to around 70 million tonnes per year, which is slightly higher than Austriaº£½ÇÖ±²¥ total CO₂ emissions. By 2030, up to 90 per cent of all new buses and 50 per cent of all new MAN trucks are to be equipped with battery-electric drives. This is why we are systematically pushing ahead with the electrification of our vehicles. Large-scale production of the eTruck will start at the MAN plant in Munich this summer. The first eTrucks are already being used by customers.

The MAN eTruck offers a modular battery concept, numerous wheelbases, different cab variants, auxiliary drives and industry equipment, which enables over a million configuration variants and fulfils the needs of all relevant industries, body solutions and transport tasks. Equipping the vehicle with the MCS megawatt charging standard with up to 1000 kW will also enable recharging during the driver’s break from driving. The development of a nationwide charging infrastructure is crucial for the ramp-up of electromobility. Politicians must create the necessary framework conditions. The decarbonisation of road freight transport is a Herculean task and can only be achieved in close cooperation with all stakeholders – business, politics and science.’

Defossilisation not decarbonisation: the reason why
Without carbon, there would be no life in this world, which is why it is wrong to talk about the goal of ‘decarbonisation’, explained Professor Geringer: ‘Carbon is the central element of organic chemistry and is considered the origin of all life and forms the basis for proteins, carbohydrates, fats, etc.’. Without keeping carbon in the cycle, there can be no sustainable products such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, fuels such as e-fuels, chemicals, etc.’ Decarbonisation includes methods such as electrification and efficiency improvements, while defossilisation involves replacing fossil raw materials (oil, natural gas) with alternatives such as biomass and recycled products.’