Electromobility is the subject of controversial debate in the sustainability segment. And many unanswered questions still remain. However, it’s a step in the right direction.

By Ursula Finsterwald, LGT Group Sustainability Manager

If one looks at the entire lifecycle – beginning with the production of raw materials and fuel consumption through to the scrapping or recycling of a car – the environmental impact can and must be significantly improved. The extraction of raw materials and production of batteries pollute the environment just as much as the production of diesel and gasoline.

The fact that these problems have to be resolved goes without saying. Just as clear, however, is that fossil fuels must be replaced by a new, low-emission and CO2 neutral propulsion technology, because this makes a significant contribution to climate protection.

CO2-neutral Driving Enjoyment

Electromobility as such, and more specifically the Formula E racing series, have also as yet not been able to resolve the issue of pollution created during the production of raw materials. I am nevertheless enthusiastic about the Formula E, because it is about visionary thinking and the testing of innovative technologies that result in CO2-neutral driving enjoyment.

The batteries in the electric racing cars are charged using generators that are powered by glycerin. Glycerin is a by-product of the production of biodiesel and is therefore CO2 neutral. It replaces fossil fuels as fuel, increases efficiency and reduces harmful substances such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter by over 90 percent.

The second Formula E race of the 2016/2017 season was held in Marrakesh; at the same time as the UN Climate Change Conference. In Marrakesh, the international community once again reasserted its commitment to limit global warming to under two degrees Celsius and stop climate change.

In the «Partnership for Global Action», the UN member states stated that measures against climate change must be taken prior to 2020 in order to achieve the ambitious goal set in Paris. This is a step in the right direction, as the Paris agreement only comes into effect in 2020.

Moving Away From Fossil-powered Mobility

In order to achieve the two-degree objective that was announced, we have to move away from fossil fuels and replace them with new propulsion technologies. Whether a racing series such as the Formula E is required in order to draw attention to this issue can be just as hotly disputed as if and how sustainable the Formula E is. That being said, the fact of the matter is: car races are highly emotional events – and they help to embed electromobility in mainstream society.

In addition, they demonstrate that we do not have to give up driving enjoyment. For many people, driving enjoyment actually increases, for example because an electric car has higher torque from the outset. There is enjoyment to be had for amateur technology fans as well.

After all, the propulsion technologies are continuously being further developed for the electric racing series in order to make them even more efficient. The technology built into the electric racing cars and the expertise gained also flow into the auto industry.

Paradigm Shift

The long-established auto companies are also finally increasingly starting to delve into the new technology and are promoting innovations in the area of electrical drives. And governments are also upping the pressure: the German Bundesrat wants prompt the EU Commission to «evaluate the existing tax and disposal practices of the member state in terms of their effectiveness in the promotion of emissions-free mobility (...), so that by 2030 at the latest, only emissions-free passenger cars will be permitted across the entire Union.»

That bears comparison to a paradigm shift! The Norwegian government is looking to no longer allow any new combustion engines starting in 2025; already today, 15 percent of newly authorized cars are electrically powered. The auto industry has signaled its difficulty with such an approach; however, sometimes, only government regulation can lead to a necessary paradigm shift – in this case in the interests of protecting the environment, the climate and therefore ultimately also humans.

The Formula E racing series can play a supportive and enlightening role here. Because thanks to the low noise levels and the low environmental impact, the races can be held in the downtown cores of cities. In a manner of speaking, the racing cars thus come directly to the people, they become tangible and e-mobility becomes a topic for society as a whole.

But not even electromobility can resolve the problem of traffic jams and traffic chaos on roads. Private transportation continues to increase around the world. In 2015, around 69 million passenger cars were produced globally – more than ever before.

A New Kind of Mobility

This is why «smart mobility» will have to go far beyond the development of new propulsion technologies. This will fundamentally change our mobility patterns in the years to come. This fall, the Swiss federal railways (SBB) together with BMW, Mobility Car Sharing and PubliBike launched a so-called SBB Green Class offering.

It combines products and services for commuters, and private and business travelers, enabling them to travel from door to door flexibly and sustainably. At a flat rate annual price of 12,200 Swiss francs, the offering comprises a first-class GA travel card, a BMW i3, Park & Ride at a train station close to the person’s place of residence, as well as a subscription for both Mobility Carsharing and for rental bicycles in cities. The first 100 subscriptions that were made available for this initial pilot phase were snapped up like hotcakes from the SBB – which is something nobody expected. This shows that people are ready for a paradigm shift. That being said, there is still a lack of attractive offers available.

Contribution as a Company

I am nonetheless confident that we will succeed in making the change. In its investment strategy, LGT is already mindful of investing in future technologies. We also want to make a contribution as a company to the objective of limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius. Among other things, we provide our employees with e-recharging stations, which are supplied 100 percent with renewable energy from our solar power systems.

Sponsoring the ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport Formula E team gives us frequent opportunity to sensitize our employees and a broad public to the issue of sustainability and innovation – for example through videos on the topic.