BEM calls for climate systematics for traffic route plan

The Federal Association for eMobility (BEM) criticized the current Federal Transport Infrastructure and Mobility Plan 2040 (BVMP) during the associations' hearing on Friday and called for an adjustment in terms of environmental and climate protection. While the German mobility market offering has already received the first "red cards" in international competition, the federal government also wants to continue in the wrong direction and shape the mobility transition on German roads with a focus on cars, the association criticized.

“Those who envision 55 million cars by 2040 cement traditional fossil transport policy views and miss out on the expansion of public transportation, rail, and alternative mobility concepts," commented BEM President Kurt Sigl on the government's intentions before the hearing.

With regard to environmental goals and the high demands of a technology location, it is the government's obligation to actively and wisely manage infrastructure. By 2035, the goal is to have 15 million electric cars on the roads, and even more thereafter. This requires energy management. Mobility must be planned in conjunction with the energy transition, which necessitates the expansion of the power grids, as well as the digitalization of administration and vehicles, and the establishment of traffic-related renewable energy budgets.

"With this approach, you do not only switch to alternative drives in your mind, but you also give companies' investments in the country a long-term perspective and a sustainable direction through the corresponding electrical infrastructure," Sigl continued.

The Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan is the central planning and control instrument for the development of the federal transport infrastructure. It includes all intended road, rail, and waterway projects under federal jurisdiction, as well as the maintenance requirements for a period of about ten to 15 years. Recently, the growth forecasts contained therein for road traffic have caused intense criticism, as the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMDV) derived a faster highway construction from them. 

The BEM calls for a consistent change in the systematics of the BVMP, which should then also allow the integration of the existing BMDV master plan for charging infrastructure, which is currently not the case. Additionally, the association expects the possibility to update the plan to take technical innovations into account.