Editorial

horizon Dear Reader, Are you familiar with the following killer argument? “The costs are just too high!” In my view, it is used far too often and unjustifiably to put an end to discussions on future technologies. Those discussing will then thoughtlessly depart from their perspectives, having defined them themselves shortly before. For example, disappointed by the fading hype of electromobility, whose flames they had once fanned themselves, they will assert: “The internal combustion engine remains unrivalled.” Electric cars will come much later than expected, they add. And when they do, they will only conquer a niche market.

DOI: 10.1365/s38314-012-0077-2

What I miss in this mantra-like reiteration of scepticism is the necessary differentiation. First of all, it includes a lack of awareness that German and even worldwide developments in battery and electric powertrain technology are in an investment phase. It is impossible to put a price on the experience and the development work that still lie ahead for industry and science, before they even start to consider a return on investment. A high-volume market for electric cars is somehow miraculously conjured up. High production volumes are seen as the ultimate objective, much too soon. How this can be achieved by which market development stages – the tentative launch of small series, successive price degression – and by which marketing instruments is conveniently ignored. The price development for batteries is similarly miraculous. The figure just four years ago was 800 Euro per kilowatt-hour. How quickly the costs were halved in an imposed dictate. Today, people talk of 250 Euro. Far away from reality. How are these prices calculated? Are the system costs and development costs included? Here too, differentiation and a structured roadmap are lacking. 0 2 I 2 0 12

Volume 7

Electromobility and the propagated leading market will not take place in our carloving country. Not surprising, surely. “Millions of electric cars by 2020” is an obsolete German precept. Electromobility will take place somewhere else, the mockers sneer. But to what extent will German industry be part of it? That is the problem that is to be solved. We rely on our engineers to apply themselves with creativity and perseverance. Unerringly and in the knowledge that, once the hype is over, the real work begins. It is to these developers that our invitation to submit articles goes out. And to the many others involved in future issues that transcend the sensitive issue of drive systems. Hype comes and goes. I hope that we can all keep our eyes on the horizon – and on the meaningfulness of our actions.

Markus Schöttle, Vice-Editor in Chief Wiesbaden, 20 March 2012

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