To accelerate the adoption of electric mobility, substantial investments are being made in Germany. This development is hailed as a positive sign by Chancellor Olaf Scholz. During a visit to the automotive supplier Neapco in the Rheinische Revier region, he gained insight into how innovations and structural transformation can drive progress.
Key Points:
- Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Neapco Europe GmbH in Düren, where the company is engaged in developing innovative technology for electric commercial vehicles. Despite ongoing structural changes, Scholz remarked that the facility was bustling with activity, emphasizing his approval of the efforts.
- The goal of the German government is to achieve climate neutrality in the country’s economy by 2045. This involves reducing environmentally harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, including transitioning away from combustion engines that produce CO2 emissions. Electric vehicles powered by renewable energy sources are a crucial component of this transition.
- Neapco Europe GmbH, located in Düren within the Rheinische Revier region, contributes to this objective. Chancellor Scholz visited the company to observe its production processes and explore the prospects within the automotive industry.
- Since 2018, Neapco has been manufacturing lightweight electric commercial vehicles for B-ON, including electric transporters for the Deutsche Post DHL Group. Over time, the company has evolved from being an automotive supplier to becoming a vehicle manufacturer in its own right.
- Scholz expressed his admiration for the company’s evolution and the perseverance through decades of structural transformation. He noted that Neapco is playing a role in the transition of the automotive industry from internal combustion engines to electric propulsion systems. During his tour of the facility, the Chancellor engaged in discussions with employees and learned about the assembly steps involved in innovative drivetrain solutions.
- With nearly 100 years of experience, Neapco is a global leader in providing innovative drivetrain solutions for various applications in the automotive industry. The company employs over 3,200 individuals across eleven locations worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Poland, and Germany.
- The company’s presence helps retain and create important industrial jobs in the region, an essential aspect of managing the structural changes in the Rheinische Revier caused by the transition away from coal-based power generation.
- Neapco is currently planning to establish the assembly of an innovative and space-saving hub motor for lightweight electric commercial vehicles at its Düren location. Chancellor Scholz highlighted the substantial investments, totaling “hundreds of billions,” being made by both foreign and German automakers to promote electromobility and achieve climate neutrality.
- Scholz appreciated the ongoing innovation and practical applications that are being explored, emphasizing their importance in everyday life. He noted that if these advancements become available within a short timeframe, it would signify significant progress in Germany’s electromobility efforts.
Chancellor Scholz attributed the swift transition to the capabilities of engineers, entrepreneurial decisions, and the dedication of the workforce. He expressed gratitude to the employees in Düren for their contributions.
Germany’s commitment to electric mobility and its integration with renewable energy sources is driving advancements in the automotive sector and contributing to the country’s broader climate goals.
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/zukunft-der-automobilindustrie-2215412