Powertrain diversity and electrification: challenges and chances for the automotive industry

摘要

The major challenges and opportunities for the further development of the powertrain can be summed up as follows: 1) Both the diesel and the gasoline engine offer great potential for reducing consumption and emissions. However, realizing this potential will require heavy investments. 2) In the long run, the objective is a purely electric powertrain. The route to this objective will be a dual one, with hybrids as an interim technology on the one hand and the further development of the internal-combustion engine on the other. In the short-to-medium term, this will mean a diverse array of powertrain technologies. 3) The need to invest in both the internal-combustion engine and the electric powertrain, as well as to master the various drive train concepts, presents great challenges for the automotive industry. 4) The standardization of non-distinctive functions, major components, and interfaces is a lever for reducing costs, especially for the electric powertrain, whose development is only just getting underway. 5) Innovation partnerships, alliances, and pre-competitive collaboration agreements are a further way of reducing the investment costs of the individual market players, of increasing the speed of development, and thus of increasing the industry's competitiveness. 6) For three main reasons, the competencies and know-how required for electric vehicles differ from those needed for vehicles with internal-combustion engines. First, there is a far higher share of electrics and electronics in total value-added; second, there is a need for reliable batteries; and third, there are signs that new business models are emerging. These competencies and the know-how required must now be established in every part of the company. Success in this task will be a major factor in determining who the future players in the automotive industry will be. Achieving it is a strategic management task. 7) Suppliers and automakers must pool their resources if the European automotive industry is to achieve a leading role in the electric vehicle as well.