TUM Researcher Markus Lienkamp: Why E-Mobility in This Form Is Not the Solution

Munich vehicle technology professor Markus Lienkamp has published a new book titled "Status Elektromobilität 2023: Why the Electric Car is Also Not the Solution," which criticizes the automotive industry's approach to transitioning to e-mobility. Although vehicles are increasingly electric, many e-SUVs are far too big, too heavy, oversized, and overpowered to significantly reduce environmental impact. In some cases, the opposite is true.

Originally, he had no intention of writing another book, the renowned vehicle technology scientist from TU Munich outlines in his preface, noting that much of it represents his personal assessment of the situation without claiming "absolute truth," but also serves as a prompt for debate about whether the current path is the right one. Decisions have been made in politics and business, with the electric car as a BEV currently seen as the best foreseeable solution.

Myths and Fears Have Already Been Debunked

So why should he, as with the previous work, address the same myths, misinformation, and fears, he asks rhetorically. Now we have the "environmentally friendly produced electric car, also often an SUV, which is produced and operated with renewable energy - and thus CO2-free. We just need enough of them and then it’s 'Mission accomplished…'," Lienkamp continues. But unfortunately, this is not the case.

"The way we are currently designing and using electric cars is not achieving the main goal, namely reducing environmental impact - I am deliberately not speaking about environmental protection," the vehicle technology professor criticizes.

In the work, the PhD and habilitated scientist undertakes a detailed assessment of "Automobility 2023." He initially examines the electric trend in the EU and especially in China. Generally, the electric car is not succeeding due to state incentives, but because it is simply cheaper in the medium and long term compared to combustion engines, Lienkamp asserts. However, he also notes a further increase in CO2 emissions in traffic as well as traffic congestion.

Seemingly Paradoxical: Despite More E-Cars, Total Emissions Are Rising

He specifically highlights the paradox of rising emissions despite the switch to BEVs. The EU has only stipulated that vehicles should not emit CO2 during operation. This has led to heavy and large models, whose overall energy balance is significantly tarnished by the high efforts in production and resource extraction. This mix results in a CO2 increase. Moreover, the EU has not limited the number of vehicles.

"If the OEM sells an additional BEV, they can also sell another ICEV. Customers might acquire an additional ICEV due to the range limitations of the BEV," outlines Lienkamp.

While energy consumption during production is considered in the EU's electricity emissions trading, imported energy, such as battery cells from Asia, is currently not factored in.

Company Car Regulations: A Flat Rate for Driving

Another problem Lienkamp sees is company and corporate cars: In Germany, nearly two-thirds of all new vehicles are sold to commercial customers, with only about one-third of new vehicles sold to private customers. However, company vehicles are often used extensively for private purposes. Due to tax regulations in Germany, the company car driver pays only a percentage of the purchase price plus a surcharge for commuting to work. The fuel costs are then covered by the employer, regardless of how much the company car user drives privately.

"This means a flat rate for company car drivers. According to employees' wishes, companies continue to buy large and thereby CO2-intensive vehicles, whether BEV or ICEV. These vehicles are often kept only for a few years and thus dominate the overall vehicle fleet. To truly relieve the environment, policymakers must first start with company and corporate cars and create enough incentives there to purchase smaller vehicles again," appeals the vehicle technology professor.

A Process That Continues to Move in the Wrong Direction

This process will take a long time because for years there has been massive - and he means this in a physical sense - armament. Naturally, a heavy vehicle is at an advantage in a crash purely in physical terms, which is why many buyers don't want to drive a small vehicle out of concern for life and limb. Additionally, large vehicles are naturally more spacious and comfortable.

"The goal must be to require fewer cars and for them to become smaller and lighter again," explains Lienkamp, detailing the "how" in his book.

Counterproductive: Traffic Burden Increases

Lienkamp also identifies another trend that is not environmentally friendly: The number of vehicles in Germany is continuously increasing. All these vehicles are also driven as intended, leading to more traffic and inevitably to traffic jams. Additionally, they require extra parking space in already cramped cities.

"Anyone who thinks that traffic will decrease due to seemingly beneficial inventions like home office is mistaken. People working from home take more private trips and overcompensate for the eliminated commutes to work," he states.

Lienkamp sees an emerging conflict between cities and the countryside: City dwellers don't like commuters because they clog the cities and contribute to noise and exhaust pollution. Commuters want to use their own cars for trips to the city for time reasons. And city dwellers would also like to have their own car to drive into nature on weekends, where they are not so welcome by rural residents when traffic volume is too high.