What will the powertrain portfolio of the future look like?

Together with other representatives from the political and business sectors, Umicore experts Dr. Christian Hagelüken, Director of EU Government Affairs, Dr. Paul Spurk, Regional Manager Applied Technologies EU & NA, and Dr. Ralf Zuber, Senior Project Manager, engaged in an open dialogue with the VDE Association on the topic of “The Propulsion Portfolio of the Future,” sharing their expertise on batteries, fuel cells, and the raw materials and recycling approaches required for them.

The focus was primarily on questions regarding the requirements and potential of the various drive technologies and what the optimal drive portfolio of the future might look like. “For us at Umicore, it is important that the different approaches are viewed in a differentiated and complementary manner, rather than pitted against one another. This is precisely what the report illustrates very well. Furthermore, we also welcome the clear focus on the entire lifecycle of the technologies, from raw material procurement through the various manufacturing stages to secondary use and recycling,” explain the experts at Umicore.

The study funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)—“Propulsion Portfolio of the Future.” A report by opinion leaders from politics and business—promotes dialogue and understanding among the various stakeholders in order to jointly tackle the key challenges on the path to zero-emission mobility.

It quickly became clear that climate-neutral mobility is the shared goal across the entire value chain.

To achieve this, policymakers and industry must work together and pave the way with innovative mobility products and solutions, as well as demand-oriented infrastructure. According to the experts, zero emissions are achievable with an intelligent mix of propulsion technologies. According to the study’s findings, the 2030+ propulsion portfolio for road transport will consist of the following: battery-electric propulsion in the passenger car sector, battery- and fuel-cell-based propulsion in commercial freight and heavy-duty transport (depending on the application), and e-fuels for existing vehicles and as a niche technology for classic cars and motorsport vehicles. Above all, it is important that the mobility of the future is aligned with the needs of the population. The purchase and use of vehicles must remain convenient and affordable while simultaneously meeting the requirements of climate-neutral transportation.