Conference Days 2022 - THINK TANK: What it takes for a real turnaround

A life without a car of one’s own is still unimaginable for many. Right at the beginning of the VISION mobility THINK TANK "Drive Change or Mobility Change: Why It Takes More Than Just Switching from Fossil to Electric," moderator and deputy VM editor-in-chief Johannes Reichel posed the fundamental question to the virtually assembled audience. And: 49 percent of the participants in the discussion round are still unwilling to part with their own "four wheels" despite sharing, pedelecs, and e-scooters.

But perhaps with the second car, as speaker Matthias Groher from the Institute for New Mobility in Berlin picked up the thread. In the city, it is less of a problem, but more so in rural areas: In the city, it’s about "too much mobility," dozens of competing offers, and the "ten-minute city." In rural areas, however, there is more of a mobility shortage. Yet many things could be interconnected here, Groher believes, instead of painting in "black and white" and saying "public transport is bad, therefore I need a car." Groher cited the example of the "combo-bus" issue.

Downsizing is necessary!

In general, from the mobility specialist's point of view, it is important not to get bogged down in debates about individual technologies and models, but to work systemically on solutions that fit people in both urban and rural areas. Groher also advocated for smaller and lighter electric vehicles and promoted the Smart Urban Logistics initiative, which is dedicated to "downsizing" in urban logistics. Above all, Groher argued for finally taking action instead of just "thinking." The aim should be to think intermodally, proceed inclusively, and prioritize incentives and the "pleasant" over potential bans or restrictions.

Policy of Small Steps

Ronald Bankowsky, the former founder and visionary of mein.dienstrad.de in 2012 and now managing partner at Fast2Work, a concept on the verge of breaking into the "mainstream" for fleet services, agrees. He advocated a "policy of small steps" and changes within one's own microcosm. Everyone can decide anew each day how to shape their own mobility, according to the pedelec enthusiast.

Quite plainly, a bicycle is the fastest mode of transportation for distances of five to six kilometers. There are 81 million bikes in Germany, but only ten percent of them are used. Activating this enormous potential must be the goal. Many could also find an entry point through the "transportation means" of the pedelec, which must be made "experiential". And speaking of: "We need to get into action," Bankowsky urged.

Avoiding Emissions: Electrification Alone Is Not Enough

"And not just act, but act more," advocated Klaus Böckers, Vice President Nordic & Eastern Europe at telematics specialist Geotab. In his view, "electrification" alone will not suffice. The first step is to generally avoid emissions. For a true mobility transition, mobility must be completely rethought. Extensive telematics data could provide a basis for a comprehensive new approach. He also advocated for the "policy of small steps," which must be enabled by low-threshold offers. You don't have to convert an entire fleet to 100% EVs right away; you can start with individual vehicles. And precisely that: start - instead of putting "concerns first". This is an approach that can be learned from the USA.