42nd KS Environmental Award for Mahle and Daimler Truck: The future is made of courage

In Munich, the 42nd KS Energy and Environment Award is currently being presented, which this year goes to the supplier Mahle and the truck manufacturer Daimler Truck. The transformation of the mobility industry is in full swing, explained Ole Eilers, President of the Automobile Club KS e.V. However, the changes in favor of more climate protection and sustainability are associated with numerous question marks, fears, and resistance. All the more important in this volatile environment are innovation spirit, courage for change, and the commitment of the actors in the mobility industry, noted Eilers with regard to the award ceremony under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in the old congress hall in Munich.

"In the current significant structural change, we need more than ever innovations for the industrial location Germany. Although the current upheavals and changes are sometimes very painful, we should all pull together and move forward courageously. After all, the future of mobility is made of courage, trust, and intelligent minds," Eilers summarized.

The award has been announced in two categories since last year: the Vehicle Technology category and the Mobility Systems category. With Daimler Truck in the Vehicle Technology category and MAHLE in the Mobility Systems category, the third-largest German automobile club once again honors two high-caliber representatives of the automotive industry. Both companies demonstrate with their groundbreaking innovations how the transformation of the transport sector can be further advanced, according to the statement. 

Sustainable Transport and Fleets are Possible

Thus, the KS expert jury recognized Daimler Truck in the Vehicle Technology category for its commitment to sustainable transport and its comprehensive technology know-how. Particularly highlighted were its achievements as a successful player in the commercial vehicle sector not only in combustion engines but also in the (short-distance) E-area, and soon also in long-distance use. In the Mobility Systems category, the jury awarded the merits of MAHLE in terms of intelligent charging for electric cars. Specifically, MAHLE chargeBIG6 was honored for its technically efficient and at the same time simple product solution for expanding e-charging systems in multi-family houses, workshops, and smaller fleets. Furthermore, MAHLE was generally recognized for its commitment to the transformation of the mobility industry.

The Path to Electrification is Rocky but Inevitable

According to Eilers, although the path to e-technology remains rocky and is still filled with numerous open questions regarding charging infrastructure, ranges, charging times, and even the quality of the battery, the path to e-mobility has now become irreversible. It has increasingly become evident that the concurrent operation of three or four different technologies is economically just not feasible. It is also a fact for science, business, society, and politics that electric cars are more environmentally friendly than combustion engines over their entire lifecycle.

Although the high emissions during battery production are criticized, there is progress being made here as well, with significant advancements in manufacturing processes. There are also developments in lithium-ion batteries themselves. For example, their price per kilowatt-hour has fallen by 90 percent over the past ten years, while battery capacity has doubled at the same time. Nevertheless, the e-car market, with about 1.5 million vehicles on German roads, is still significantly lagging behind the government's target of 15 million by the end of the decade.

“To the extent that there are further innovations in charging systems, ranges, and battery technology, e-technology will continue to gain traction. With our KS Energy and Environment Prize in the vehicle technology category, we are convinced that we can once again set an important signal for sustainable and future-proof mobility,” emphasizes Eilers.

Intelligently combining modes of transport and reducing emissions

However, for the president of the third-largest automobile club in Germany, it is also clear that for a livable, climate-friendly future, innovations in the vehicle drivetrain alone are not sufficient. Rather, a comprehensive mobility transformation is necessary. For this, cities and rural areas need to realign themselves, but each individual should also be prepared to reconsider their mobility behavior. Overall, it is essential to achieve a reasonable networking of various innovative mobility systems or modes of transport. Only if it succeeds in intelligently combining these modes of transport and deploying them wherever they can maximize their advantages, it is possible to reduce emissions or even reclaim spaces. The mobility of the future, therefore, means being able to use the mode of transport that best fits the situation and is also environmentally friendly – without having to restrict one's personal life. Society, economy, and politics are equally challenged here.

“With our award in the category of mobility systems, we want to once again motivate people, companies, and organizations not to slacken in their commitment to innovations and climate-protecting, human-beneficial mobility systems,” explains Ole Eilers.