University Research Venture at Pforzheim, Valued at 800,000 Euros
In the heart of the North Black Forest, Pforzheim University has taken on a significant research project, commissioned by the Transformation Network North Black Forest, with the aim of supporting the region's automotive suppliers in the challenging transition from internal combustion engines to alternative drives or the development of entirely new business models.
Over the next one and a half years, Professors Dr. Rebecca Bulander and Dr. Bernhard Kömel will spearhead this project, working alongside a three-member TraFoNetz team. The research commission, worth 800,000 euros, is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
The primary objective of the project is to help companies find new markets, customers, and industries of application outside of electromobility. As Professor Kömel advises, companies should not solely focus on electromobility but look for industries where their expertise, precision, and technology are in demand.
However, the shift to electromobility presents several challenges for the German automotive industry and its suppliers. One of the most pressing issues is achieving CO2 targets and economic sustainability. Despite strong growth in electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids in Germany, the European Commission’s CO2 fleet targets are not yet met. This gap is partly due to the need for a higher share of electric registrations (20-25% target vs. current 18%). To meet these targets, manufacturers and dealers currently offer purchase incentives, which negatively impact their economic results and are unsustainable without further government measures and incentives.
Another challenge is the need for a comprehensive industry master plan. There is a call for an overarching and long-term industry strategy incorporating automakers, policymakers, energy providers, and local authorities. Such a plan should address incentives for EV buyers, create a comprehensive charging infrastructure, and ensure affordable electricity to make electromobility attractive and feasible industry-wide.
Infrastructure expansion and affordability are also critical to mass adoption. From related global insights, the availability and expansion of charging infrastructure, alongside fair electricity prices, are essential for the rapid growth of the EV market. Germany, in particular, faces challenges in the short term related to the rapid expansion of the charging network and associated costs.
To avoid outsourcing critical parts of the e-mobility value chain, particularly battery production, to third countries, Germany’s industry must coordinate investments in semiconductors, battery cell production, and recycling. Suppliers need to innovate and scale while maintaining local value chains to fully capture industrial and economic benefits.
The transition to EVs also entails fewer labor inputs per vehicle, particularly affecting jobs in the supply chain. This labor reduction is a major challenge for suppliers who must manage a workforce transition, training, and potential job cuts while maintaining competitiveness.
Lastly, German manufacturers, particularly in the premium segment, benefit from strong brand trust domestically but face pressure internationally. Suppliers and OEMs must continue to innovate to maintain their technological edge and brand position, especially as international competitors grow stronger.
Professor Bulander emphasizes that the project also focuses on the training and qualification of employees for their future viability. Meanwhile, Professor Kömel states that electric cars are less precise compared to combustion engines, and the E-car customer base does not place a high value on tolerances.
In conclusion, the "Transformation Network North Black Forest" project aims to support automotive suppliers in navigating these challenges and securing jobs and growth in the region. The project does not aim to abandon the acquired qualifications but to optimize them and offer them where they are needed. By helping companies find new markets and industries, the project aims to ensure a sustainable future for the North Black Forest's automotive industry.
[1] European Commission (2020). CO2 emissions from new passenger cars as of 1 January 2020. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/vehicles/carco2/index_en.htm [2] International Energy Agency (2019). Global EV Outlook 2019. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2019 [3] European Investment Bank (2019). Financing the future of mobility. Retrieved from https://www.eib.org/en/docs/2019-10-24/1015375721911-eib-report-financing-the-future-of-mobility.pdf
- In the scope of the project, Professors Dr. Rebecca Bulander and Dr. Bernhard Kömel, along with the TraFoNetz team, will seek new industries beyond electromobility where the region's automotive suppliers can leverage their expertise and precision in technology.
- The German automotive industry, including suppliers, faces challenges in achieving CO2 targets and economic sustainability in the transition to electromobility, with a significant gap between the European Commission’s CO2 fleet targets and the current electric vehicle registrations.
- To ensure a sustainable future for the North Black Forest's automotive industry, the Transformation Network project aims to help companies find new markets and industries, optimize current qualifications, and scale innovations in battery production, semiconductors, and recycling, while maintaining local value chains and a comprehensive industry strategy.
