You’ve been focussing closely on electric mobility for more than four years now. What has changed altogether in this short space of time?
There have been some major changes, in the range offered by the vehicles in the lower and medium price ranges, for example. We’ve seen a huge step forward in this regard. Another significant improvement has been in the variety of providers of charging options, and the number of charging points available. Above all, however, the choice of vehicles on offer has increased dramatically: four years ago, there were less than a dozen electric vehicles to choose from, while today this number is much higher.
Where do you see the greatest progress?
Of course, the technical development is perhaps the most interesting point from my perspective, but for the population as a whole I see the greatest progress in the range of models. Until around mid-2020, it was very difficult, especially for families needing a little more space, to find an affordable model that met their needs. This is no longer the case, and there are now so many models to choose from – for a huge range of different needs. From small cars to practical family cars and sports cars, there are lots of manufacturers offering a wide range of models. I think this is the most important change that will make electric mobility accessible for the masses – coupled with the commitment of many manufacturers to fully embrace electric mobility.
Where is there still the most room for improvement?
The biggest needs are in route planning and payment systems. Especially in route planning, however, manufacturers are offering better and better solutions. Added to this are the freely available apps and websites, so things are moving in the right direction. The situation is a bit more complicated when it comes to payment systems and pricing structure, and these two points are often difficult for newcomers to understand. I’m a strong advocate of barrier-free payment, i.e. preferably with NFC terminals and by credit card, so that electricity can be purchased at a fixed price per kWh. In Germany, the legal situation for public charging is currently being changed. I think it’ll be important to have an overall consensus on this throughout Europe and also here in Switzerland. Something that will also take a little time and a lot of persuasion (or legislation) is the situation with apartment owners or those in rental properties. For those interested in an electric car, there are still various hurdles to be faced when it comes to a charging solution.
You also drive an electric car yourself. What has your experience been?
I have a wealth of experience with the many models I’ve driven in the past four years through my work as a tester of electric vehicles. It was important for our family to find a more sustainable solution than burning fossil fuels. The fact that the electric car is very quiet and comfortable to drive suits us just fine as a young family. We don’t do any 1500-kilometre road trips, and on longer journeys we always take a break. So the electric car is a good match for us. Thanks to the electricity we produce ourselves with our photovoltaic system at home, it’s right up our street from an environmental and an economic perspective.
Critics always mention the range and the charging situation as the biggest problems. What do you think about these objections?
Especially here in Switzerland, range is no longer an issue. And even for longer trips abroad, there are so many cars on the market with a range of more than 400 kilometres. This means there’s no problem driving a good 300 kilometres and then taking a break to recharge. We’re talking about a 30-minute charging beak for every two or three hours of driving, which is in any case advisable as a break from driving and often necessary for eating and taking a short toilet break. Increased charging capacity – combined with a longer range due to bigger batteries – help to make travelling more comfortable. If we’re talking about a 1000-kilometre trip, this means around 1.5 hours of charging time for 10 hours of driving, if that. That sounds fine to me.
What will the situation look like in another four years?
I think that in four years’ time, every second newly registered car in Switzerland will be fully electric. I’m convinced that the technology will be fully established in the area of passenger cars, and create a wide range of possibilities in the electricity market for effective energy storage. I’m also sure that the charging situation will improve dramatically in the next few years, especially when it comes to employers and landlords. There’s a great deal of potential here for all sides.
What do you find most fascinating about electric mobility?
The concept of integrated energy, for example, which allows me to charge my electric car directly using my photovoltaic system at home. And the technology behind it, of course. As an electrical engineer, I’m automatically interested. With electric vehicles, the high torque enables good acceleration performance right from the start. So on the one hand, we have the fun factor and the car’s immediate reaction to pressure on the accelerator, and on the other hand, we have the chance to benefit from hugely economical driving. Only once you have an electric car do you only really become aware of how economically you can drive.
Would you ever switch back to a car with a combustion engine?
No, never. On the contrary – I’m even trying to electrify my whole environment. Once you drive electric, you’ll never go back. I recommend a test drive to everyone, preferably in everyday conditions, to see the benefits for yourself. For me, there are only reasons to stay with the electric car – the possibility to produce the energy you need for your own mobility, no exhaust fumes, the positive driving experience and much more.
