Cars of the future

Web special Fraunhofer magazine 4.2021

In the right direction

The cars of the future will need design of the future. Find out how Fraunhofer is helping to restructure transport.

New times, new challenges – and new challengers. E-mobility pioneer Tesla, which launched on the German market in 2013 with its Model S, had reason to celebrate in October. The growth rates for Tesla vehicles registered in Germany were in the triple digits, marking an increase of 482.9 percent. German manufacturers saw a double-digit drop, with the exception of Porsche, which stayed almost stab-le at just minus 0.8 percent. Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW and Audi have also taken on the challenge of e-mobility. With its research fab for battery production, in which ten Fraunhofer Institutes are involved, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is helping to expand and strengthen Germany’s position as a leader in battery manufacturing technology. And yet it will take more than that to ensure Germany maintains this position and doesn’t slip down the ranks in terms of environmental rating and reputation.

Diversity – on our roads too

The cars of the future need mobility that’s fit for the future. Dr. André Häusler has warned against closed-mindedness when it comes to mobility. The expert from the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen believes that diversity in transportation will become a necessity. He envisions different drive methods coexist­ing harmoniously – depending on where cars are used and what they are used for Need to fill up in five minutes and then drive 650 kilometers? Hydrogen is best for the job. Living in a rural area where charging points are hard to come by? A hybrid model with a combustion engine and an electric motor might be the best option. “In the coming years, car manu­facturers won’t just have one drive type in their portfolio anymore,” says Dr. Häusler. “They’ll need to offer a separate solution for every need – hydrogen, electric, gas, diesel and hybrid models.”

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“Porsche will be the last to have a steering wheel.”

You’ll be able to drive autonomously − but you’ll want to drive manually. Detlev von Platen, Executive Vice President for Marketing, on the future of a German legend.

 

Prof. Uwe Clausen, chair of the Fraunhofer Traffic and Transportation Alliance.

Do cars still have a future in the mobility systems of tomorrow?

 

Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB

The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB is being set up as part of the "FoFeBat" project (shorthand for "Forschungsfertigung Batteriezelle") funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The project aims to provide industrial manufacturers with a central research infrastructure and, ultimately, to help them create economically efficient and ecologically sustainable battery cell production lines.

 

Fraunhofer lead market mobility sector

The mobility sector is a key pillar of the German and European economy. Innovations in this area of technology give a direct boost to Germany’s role as an economic powerhouse. Its ability to rapidly transfer the latest research results into practical applications is key to Germany’s economic and innovation performance.

 

Fraunhofer Transport Alliance

The Fraunhofer Transport Alliance offers technical and conceptual products and services for public as well as industrial clients and accompanies their transfer into practical application.

 

Fraunhofer AutoMOBILE Production Alliance

As a partner of automotive manufacturers and their suppliers, equipment suppliers and service providers, the Fraunhofer autoMOBILE Production Alliance has been supporting research and development for the optimization of production processes since 2010 and pools the expertise of 20 Fraunhofer institutes.

 

Fraunhofer magazine
4/2021

We have the energy!

Sun, wind, heat – ready for the transition