Assumption 10: Developing energy-efficient mobility

The transport sector will be characterised by the growing importance of renewable energy sources, initially in the form of biofuels, but over the long term also in the form of electricity and hydrogen. In densely populated areas in particular there will be a greater emphasis on transitioning conventional propulsions systems to natural gas or biofuels and on introducing innovative solutions such as new electric and fuel cell-powered propulsion systems.

Germany’s transport sector accounts for almost 30 per cent of the country’s entire consumption of energy. About two thirds of this volume is used for the transportation of people. If existing technologies continue to be used as they are now, CO₂ emissions will also continue to increase. Alternative fuels must be used in order to counter these transport sector trends and conserve our diminishing petroleum reserves. All of the major automobile manufacturers see a great deal of promise in hydrogen. Natural gas-powered cars are the alternative for the near future.