Manufacturing and technologies
Diesel engines remain an important drive type
In the transportation sector in particular there is no alternative to diesel drives. Which is why there is a need to work on an equal, climate-neutral solution.
In the transportation sector in particular there is no alternative to diesel drives. Which is why there is a need to work on an equal, climate-neutral solution.
Diesel powertrains still indispensable to some extent
Despite serious image losses, the diesel engine is still the second most commonly sold type of powertrain in Germany (see registration statistics of the Federal Motor Transport Authority).
It is true that the registration figures for electrically powered passenger cars in Germany are developing positively. However, there are still no alternatives to the diesel engine, especially in the heavy commercial vehicle segment and for long-distance buses, as the diesel engine is characterized by its high efficiency and high reliability. The diesel engine continues to be an essential type of drive for this system, which nonetheless will have to be continuously optimized over the next few years.
In the future, the ever-increasing transportation sector will demand solutions that are on a par with diesel while at the same time being climate-neutral. Work is currently underway on such solutions. But until there is significant market penetration of alternatively powered commercial vehicles, diesel will remain the first choice.
A discussion of technology sanctions should always be conducted in the overall context of the use of vehicles in road traffic. Accordingly, the respective best powertrain concepts will prevail in each case.
