Welcome to Frankfurt

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ensuring tomorrow's mobility is an issue that is a matter of great public interest. Various methods and approaches are being discussed to decide how best to improve existing combustion engine technology - and even replace it in the long term. Electromobility plays a prominent role in these efforts, not only as a way of eliminating our dependency on fossil fuels but also as a means of providing low-emission mobility in the urban environment and beyond.

In recognition of the importance of these developments, the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology organized this joint conference with DIN on the subject of electromobility and standardization.

The marketable implementation of the many current ideas regarding electromobility is an integral aspect of the continual development process, which includes the need to address a wide range of associated issues. Finding the right solutions is absolutely essential if there is to be consumer confidence in these new technologies and electromobility is to enjoy global success.

This process has two fundamental aspects: Electromobility is distinctly international in character. Also, the rapid progress of technological developments means that different sectors have to work together in what is a relatively new form of collaboration. Combined with this is the need for international agreement among the various stakeholders, requiring cross-border and cross-sectoral coordination of responsibilities at different levels.

This conference served as a platform to discuss these challenges – the need to boost consumer confidence, the prevalence of technological convergence, and the internationality of the electromobility sector. Furthermore, the conference pointed out which steps have to be taken to adjust and use standardization tools to get the process of exchanging information and coming to agreement among all stakeholders well underway.

In this light I would like to thank all conference participants for their valuable contributions which will be incorporated in the further implementation of electromobility.

Dr.-Ing. Torsten Bahke
Director, DIN German Institute for Standardization