Lanxess AG : "I welcome all measures taken in the further development of innovative mobility"

The German Minister of Transport joined the political kick-off event of LANXESS in Berlin. We asked him a few questions!

Berlin, Germany - LANXESS: Mr. Minister, what was your first car?

Dr. Peter Ramsauer: A used white VW Beetle 1202. As a 19-year-old I was really proud of it. 15-liter fuel consumption was normal back then. You can hardly imagine that now.

LANXESS: A few years have passed since then… and we are now looking to the future. What role will electric cars play?

The fact that the automobile and supplier industry is already so successful in Germany is down to the fact that the car has been continuously redeveloped with new innovations and technologies. These steps forward involve almost all vehicle components and naturally have an influence on performance, driving comfort, the effect on the environment and safety.

This process will continue, as we always have new questions to ask of ourselves. Faced with climate change and the finite supply of crude oil as a raw material, we must focus on new drive technology in particular.  Electric mobility plays a central role in this respect. We in Germany want to become the leading market and the leading providers in the field of electric mobility and aim to have at least one million electric cars on our roads by 2020. This may be ambitious, but with the combined efforts from the worlds of industry, research and politics, it is feasible. 

LANXESS:  You yourself are extremely active: Last winter the fitting of winter tires became mandatory in Germany and in 2012 tire labeling will become mandatory throughout the European Union. What do you hope to gain from this?

Of course, my principal aim is increased safety. After all, safety must be the top priority. In addition I expect increased legal protection for the consumer. For this reason we are currently preparing the next steps to providing further clarification regarding the mandatory use of winter tires, so that people are also well informed.

At the same time, the transport sector must make a contribution to climate protection. Therefore I welcome all measures taken in the further development of innovative mobility that leads to a reduction in the carbon footprint.

LANXESS: So I believe you will agree: we require innovative solutions that enable the sustainable mobility of tomorrow. What role will the chemicals industry in particular play in this?

Transport policy always entails a policy of innovation in the area of climate and environmental protection. The focus of all considerations must therefore be placed on the striving towards increased efficiency: We need to further separate the growth of the transport sector from energy consumption.
Innovative solutions and new materials, as are developed within the chemicals industry, make an important contribution in this regard to a sustainable and future-oriented mobility. This involves, for example, the use of lighter components in batteries.

When I consider innovative solutions, I think of more than just the hope of successfully stemming climate change and its consequences. As an industrial country and an exporting country, I see great opportunities and potential in new, environmentally friendly technologies to secure jobs, growth and prosperity here in Germany.