Expert Organization Contributes to High-Level Conference in Geneva
Future Mobility: DEKRA Highlights Potential and Challenges for UN Decision-Makers
For 75 years, the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) has been the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Transport ministers, state secretaries and ambassadors from more than 50 countries are currently gathered – in part physically in Geneva, in part by digital means – for the 84th session of the ITC. The international expert organization DEKRA is involved in the event, highlighting the potential and the challenges that future mobility will bring.
- Automation, connectivity, and sustainability are in the focus
- Everyday use of e-mobility needs well-functioning charging infrastructure
- DEKRA CTO: “We are committed to making our contribution”
“Automation, connectivity and electrification are key elements of future mobility”, says DEKRA Board Member and Chief Technical Officer Ulrike Hetzel. “We need – among other things – a high level of acceptance of trust among the public, and this can only be achieved through internationally standardized testing methods. Therefore, we welcome and support all efforts on EU and UNECE levels to make future mobility safe, secure and sustainable.”
Olga Algayerová, Executive Secretary of UNECE, stresses the importance of the ITC in this process: “The Committee guides the work of our World Forum on vehicle regulations. As the unique UN body for the automotive sector, the World Forum has established and constantly develops the international legislative framework for the motor industry. This work is crucial to unlock the potential of innovative solutions for sustainable transport.”
Henrik Hololei, Director-General for Mobility and Transport with the European Commission underlines the EU’s commitment to sustainability: “We need to do a lot in order to make transport much more sustainable – and we will. Part of it will be the roll for sustainable transport fuels, which are going to change the way transport is powered. For that, we need commitment from all sides, and it is very important that we develop together a well-functioning infrastructure for recharging and refueling in order to make this happen.”
“Electromobility is no longer just a thing of the future, but it is already here”, says Leonore Gewessler, Austrian Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology. “The change is there, and we need to work on making e-mobility and sustainable mobility on the road the most comfortable Option for people.”
Making e-mobility suitable for everyday use has a lot to do with charging opportunities, says Oliver Luksic, Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport: “That is why we support the expansion of nationwide and user-friendly charging infrastructure, so that charging becomes as easy and natural as refueling. Ultimately, efficient competition and especially high quality are the best guarantee for user-friendly and attractively priced offerings.”
Not only when it comes to charging infrastructure, DEKRA as one of the world’s leading expert organization has a lot to bring to the table for future mobility, says CTO Ulrike Hetzel: “In our network of test sites, we offer comprehensive testing services for automated and connected vehicles. Our labs in Europe and Asia are very experienced and perform state-of-the-art electrical safety tests. Of course, as the world leader in vehicle inspection with about 27 million inspections per year around the globe, we also have a hand in developing new PTI regulations, bringing our experience and our own research to international committees. We are committed to making our contribution.”