E-Mobility subjected to a reality check
Proposition 1: Without the ignition spark of the internal combustion engine, there’s no emotional spark to thrill the driver.
If you believe that you’ve never driven an electric car with launch control. Acceleration is not just impressive – it’s emotional. Even without exhaust sound. Instead: silence, focus, precision. That’s a new form of driving pleasure. Even Ferrari has recognized that and is going to launch an e-model. Emotion is not created by noise but by an experience, which electric cars are already delivering today.
In a nutshell: Emotion? You bet! Thumbs up.
About: Thomas Stierle
Thomas Stierle (b. 1969) holds a degree in electrical engineering, specializing in the design of cellular neural networks, from TUD Dresden University of Technology. He began his professional career in 1995 at Siemens in Regensburg, Germany, working initially in the development of electronics for side impact sensors before taking on a role in a research project on infrared-based occupant position sensing. From 1999 to 2004, he concentrated on hardware development for airbag control units in Auburn Hills, USA.
From October 2004 to September 2008, Thomas Stierle worked as Global R&D Manager for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) later as head of Sales and Project Management (ADAS) at Siemens VDO. From 2008 to 2018, he held several general leadership positions in the motor actuator product field, which increased in complexity and size. He was lastly the head of the Actuator product line within the Sensors & Actuators business unit of Continental Automotive GmbH.
Thomas Stierle was appointed as the head of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle business unit in November 2018, which was later renamed as Electrification Technology after the spin-off from Continental in October 2019. Additionally, he led the Electronic Controls business unit in the company from mid-2022. He became a member of the Executive Board in October 2021 and was responsible for the newly established Electrification Solutions division at Vitesco Technologies starting from January 2023.
Thomas Stierle has been CEO E-Mobility at Schaeffler AG since October 2024.
Proposition 2: To help electric mobility make a breakthrough, incentives are more effective than bans.
Pressure generates resistance, enthusiasm generates motion. Subsidies, tax breaks, and favorable energy prices are the real accelerators. Making electric mobility attractive puts you on the fast track sooner than posting “no-signs.” Technology impresses when it’s fun and affordable.
In a nutshell: The carrot beats the stick.
Proposition 3: Traction batteries will soon become “immortal.”
Immortal? No. But they’ll last for a long time, be sustainable, and recyclable – yes! Second life, recycling, new cell chemistries: Batteries are getting better and better. The idea of an “eternal” battery is science fiction but it’s headed in the right direction. Warranties of ten years or 250,000 kilometers speak a clear language: Today’s batteries are a lot more durable than they’re reputed to be.
In a nutshell: Durable instead of immortal.
Proposition 4: Four-wheeler e-bikes with weather protection are going to displace cars from tomorrow’s urban centers.
Urban mobility is being reimagined. Lightweight, protected vehicles are practical – and they’re up-and-coming means of transportation. But totally displacing cars? That’s unrealistic. There’ll be a mix: bikes, shuttles, carsharing. Diversity instead of a monoculture.
In a nutshell: A complement, not a replacement.
Proposition 5: No more progress: Electric motors have practically been fully developed.
Definitely not. Efficiency, material input, integration – there’s still a lot of potential. New architectures such as 800-volt systems or integrated axle drives make electric motors not only smarter but also less costly. Less material, more compact designs, optimized manufacturing – all that lowers prices and increases range. Fully developed? That’s a myth.
In a nutshell: Progress continues to advance electrically – while becoming more and more favorably priced.
Proposition 6: In the future, electric cars will be able to inductively charge their batteries for several hundred kilometers in areas prone to traffic jams.
That’s technically conceivable – both in terms of the vehicle and in terms of streets or roads, but the effort and investment are enormous. Infrastructure, efficiency, costs. It would make sense for buses or taxies with fixed routes. For the mass market? Perhaps someday but until then the cable will remain the king.
In a nutshell: Visionary – but still far away.
Proposition 7: 800 volts becomes the new standard in the electric car sector.
Yes! Faster charging times, less thermal losses, higher power density. Premium paves the way, volume follows. 800 volts is not just a buzzword but truly an efficiency booster and 1,000V is already around the corner.
In a nutshell: Exciting high voltage for the future.
Proposition 8: Progress in battery technology make electric cars a bargain.
Batteries are still expensive but the costs are going down thanks to scaling and new cell chemistries. But a real bargain? Probably more of a tie with internal combustion engines in terms of the purchasing price. Yet the total cost of ownership already speaks in favor of electric power – and the prices keep going down. Thrifty people drive electric vehicles.
In a nutshell: Prices going down, acceptance going up.
Proposition 9: China is showing how to do it: Automobiles are turning into infotainment spaces on wheels.
Displays, gaming, streaming – yes, the automobile is turning into a digital living room. China is the trailblazer; Europe is following suit. But safety remains the top priority. Entertainment yes, distraction no.
In a nutshell: Mobility meets smartphone.
