Eighth edition of NUFAM gets off to a successful start with an exciting opening
The commercial vehicle trade fair in Karlsruhe will showcase the entire spectrum of the industry from September 21 to 24. The focus will be on alternative drive systems. It opened with a panel discussion on the topic of “climate-neutral transportation".
“With exhibitors from 23 nations, our commercial vehicle trade fair is more international than ever before. Over the four days of the trade fair, there will also be more new products in the field of alternative drive systems on display than ever before” - with these words, Britta Wirtz opened NUFAM - The Commercial Vehicle Trade Fair in Karlsruhe on Thursday, September 21. Until Sunday, September 24, more than 400 exhibiting manufacturers and dealers will be showcasing current and future products from the commercial vehicle industry.
The Managing Director of Messe Karlsruhe made it clear that NUFAM's mission is to provide the commercial vehicle industry, which is undergoing unprecedented change, with the perfect framework for the transformation towards alternative drive systems. In his welcoming address, Karlsruhe's Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup also underlined the importance of NUFAM for Karlsruhe, but also for the entire Karlsruhe technology region.
Top-class opening talk
The opening talk on “Climate-neutral transportation on the road - from overhead lines to fuel cells and charging infrastructure” was even more exciting. Representatives from politics, science and business took to the stage. Elke Zimmer (State Secretary in the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport), Prof. Martin Wietschel (Head of the Competence Center Energy Technologies and Energy Systems at Fraunhofer ISI), Rainer Schmitt (Managing Director of Walter Schmitt GmbH), Jörg Hömberg (Managing Director of Air Products), Mario Männlein (Head of Alternative Propulsions at IVECO Magirus) and Dr. Stephan Melchert (Manager Product and Marketing eTrailer ZF Group) took part in the discussion.
State Secretary Elke Zimmer represented the State Ministry of Transport, which is the joint patron of NUFAM together with the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs. In her opening statement, she said: “We will only be able to solve the tasks facing us by working together.” We need to be clear about what we want and what it will take to move forward. The state of Baden-Württemberg wants to be climate-neutral by 2040. Savings must therefore be made in freight transport by 2030. “It is therefore incredible that we have trade fairs like NUFAM to see what the current state of the industry is,” Zimmer continued.
Professor Wietschel von Fraunhofer ISI machte deutlich: „Als Fraunhofer schauen wir uns alle Technologien an. Wir haben verschiedene Projekte dazu laufen.“ Zu diesen gehören Oberleitungs-Lkw, die Brennstoffzelle und auch E-Fuels. „Auf günstige E-Fuels im Lkw-Bereich zu hoffen, halte ich aber für eine gewagte Strategie“, so Wietschel weiter. Mit E-Lkw seien schon heute Reichweiten von rund 400 Kilometern möglich.
When e-trucks pick up speed
Rainer Schmitt from Walter Schmitt Transportlogististiker mainly drives in the region and between Mannheim and Offenburg. This distance can easily be covered by alternative means. The majority of transportation in the region could be electrified. The company has been increasingly focusing on e-mobility for four years. Schmitt: “The topic will really pick up speed from 2025. Then we can leave the lighthouse stage. Doubling the toll will also help.”
During the discussion, Rainer Schmitt also criticized politicians: “I have the impression that politicians are shying away from dealing with the harsh reality.” They could generally be much faster in electrifying their own fleets, but there is a lack of charging infrastructure. This is a “complete disaster”. Schmitt called filling out the funding applications “nonsense”.
Jörg Hömberg from Air Products also discussed this on stage: “We are the largest hydrogen supplier in the world. We see the technical possibilities, but we need political support.”
Politics must create the right conditions
Mario Männlein is responsible for alternative drives at IVECO. The company is the only manufacturer to be active in all areas: “Our credo is to think in terms of technologies, not ideologies. Fortunately, physics is the same for everyone.” Politicians must create the same conditions for everyone.
Stephan Melchert from the ZF Group in Friedrichshafen said to State Secretary Zimmer: “The field is set. Please support us so that we can get the vehicles up and running quickly.” The ZF Group is presenting a world first at NUFAM with a new version of the electrified semi-trailer. This saves up to 16 percent fuel and CO2.
„Sleepless nights“
The panelists agreed that more efforts are needed to make progress in the field of alternative drives. The only challenge is how to get there. Professor Wietschel summed up at the end of the talk: “Openness to technology is good. But at some point we have to make investment decisions. I am also a little frustrated to some extent. What do we have to do, what level of acceptance is there? That sometimes gives me sleepless nights.”
Greetings from Volker Wissing
Dr. Volker Wissing wants to prevent this. The Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Affairs, who is also the patron of NUFAM, said in his welcoming address: “From alternative drive systems and renewable fuels to digitalization: the commercial vehicle industry is on the move and is working at full speed on innovative technologies for more progress and climate protection. NUFAM puts them in the spotlight, showcasing impressive approaches and solutions. This is inspiring and motivates people to follow suit. That's why I was happy to take on the patronage of NUFAM.”
