IAA MOBILITY Voices: Interview Managing Director - CEO IONITY GmbH

What does Experience Connected Mobility mean to you?
More than ever before, we need to be mindful and economical with our resources. Data, digitization, and connectivity are helping us to do so. This also applies to the mobility sector with all its facets whether it involves mobility transition or connected mobility solutions.

In concrete terms, to leverage the full potential of electric mobility, we need more digital and interconnected offerings. Sector coupling is an important keyword: We need to connect electric cars with the charging infrastructure and the smart grid. Furthermore, it is crucial to align the expansion of the charging network with customer behavior and utilization data.

If electric cars knew when and where to recharge their batteries, charging stations could optimally store and distribute green electricity from solar and wind power. This way, we could bring charging power to where it is needed, protect the climate and reduce CO2 emissions.

And just as important: We could offer a better customer experience. People could travel with their electric car without having to worry about when, where and how to charge. This would make everyday life easier and inspire all those who are still hesitant about emission-free electric mobility.

What do you want to achieve at the IAA MOBILITY 2023?
I want to highlight the opportunities and possibilities that a digital, connected charging infrastructure offers for the energy and mobility sector and for electric vehicle drivers in particular.

The focus of the panel, in which I will participate, is about what customers want from charging infrastructure. A central question will be customer expectation in terms of availability and services. This much in advance: A convenient, digital charging experience and technical reliability are at the top of the wish list.

Which essential future topic is receiving too little public attention?
Electric vehicles and charging stations, as part of the smart grid, are essential components of a successful energy and mobility transition. Charging network operators like IONITY provide the backbone of sustainable mobility in Europe. Currently the number of charging points per vehicle is much more in the focus of the public debate than any other factors. But there is more we need to take into consideration: We are creating the conditions for environmentally friendly freight and passenger transport.

In which area of mobility do you see the greatest potential and where do you see the greatest need to catch up?
I see both in electric mobility. Electric engines are unmatched, when it comes to energy efficiency. Within the past years, we have achieved a lot. Once you've driven an electric vehicle, you'll never buy a combustion engine again. The market is picking up speed and we are determined to make it possible for more and more people to switch to electric cars. Political institutions have set the course and defined clear targets. The automotive industry plans to steadily expand the range of electric vehicles and we will scale up the charging infrastructure in line with the demand. However, this requires faster approval processes for construction projects and grid connections. Only then, we can realize a climate-friendly electromobility affordable for everyone.

IAA MOBILITY is the leading global mobility platform. It brings together innovators from all areas of mobility. Who would you like to network with in September and why?
The challenges of our time can only be mastered with joint forces and a lot of creativity. I look forward to inspiring discussions with long-time companions and to connect with new innovators and mobility enthusiasts that bring their perspectives and approaches to the table.

The world is changing fundamentally. Innovation and also efforts in the mobility sector are greater than ever before. What is your vision of the world in 20 years?
In my vision, mobility in 20 years will offer many more options than we know today. It will address geographical, social and demographic characteristics of cities and countries. Mobility will focus on people’s needs and, above all, be easily accessible and affordable for as many as possible. For one, it is the regional bus 'on demand', other prefer the electric bike in the city. Singles will rely on car-sharing, while families will prefer to have their own car at their doorstep.

In 20 years, we will see new mobility solutions that are economically viable and optimally tailored to people's individual needs. New mobility will not be an either-or proposition, but a mix of private and public transportation. Freedom of movement and comfort in every situation of users’ lives, yet always emission-free and climate-friendly.