Myths about transformation and how to overcome them – Stan Zurkiewicz, CEO of the expert organisation DEKRA, held a keynote on this topic on Wednesday on the Main Stage. “Why do we come to Hanover every two years?” Zurkiewicz, CEO of the expert organisation DEKRA, asked the audience. In his opinion, there is hardly anything more exciting than new technologies. That is one reason to visit the IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hanover every two years. Although new technologies bring many benefits, there is still widespread scepticism about them. “This scepticism is one of the many challenges that the global automotive industry, represented here in Hanover, has to overcome,” said Zurkiewicz.
It is best to counter fears with the appropriate facts. He then presented myths – including those in the fields of alternative propulsion and artificial intelligence (AI) – to refute them in the next step. One myth is that BEVs are more susceptible to fire. “Vehicles – whether electrically powered or not – are most likely to burst into flames in Hollywood movies and rarely in reality,” says the DEKRA CEO. Official statistics from Norway show that petrol and diesel vehicles are four to five times more likely to burst into flames than BEVs.
According to Zurkiewicz, tests by DEKRA Accident Research also confirm the robust performance of batteries. According to Zurkiewicz, in one of the many tests, vehicle batteries were set on fire and found that the flame and smoke produced were lower than diesel or petrol. No burning liquids could drain off. However, the battery fire requires more extinguishing water or special additives.
Another electromobility myth is that used BEVs are not resaleable. Car dealers do not want to buy BEV. Zurkiewicz refuted this myth with DEKRA’s patented test procedure, which determines the battery condition of more than 100 models of electric cars and trucks in less than 15 minutes and with a high degree of reliability and accuracy. This removes the uncertainty about the battery condition, which in turn allows for resale. This method provides an insight into the "black box" battery. The value obtained correctly indicates the state of the battery. Another myth relates to hydrogen: hydrogen makes transport and infrastructure unsafe. But the fact is that hydrogen has been safely used in industry for more than a century. Rather, the uncertainty results from wider use, as H2 is now part of the energy transition
“But wider use does not necessarily mean higher risk,” said Zurkiewicz. DEKRA supports the safe use of hydrogen with four decades of experience in testing and certifying H2 applications in industry. The Myth in the Field AI, which Zurkiewicz called: AI is uncontrollable. But it is counterbalanced by its efficiency. According to McKinsey, digital logistics tools, including AI, can reduce operational performance by 20 to 40 percent in two to four years. Improve percent and supply chains by predicting Optimise delays, bottlenecks or peak delivery times. DEKRA is currently working with industry and government agencies to develop the necessary standards for trustworthy AI. Implementation is expected to start in 2026.
It focuses on the creation of quality management systems, the conduct of risk assessments and the development of testing and conformity assessment procedures.
Hall 12, Stand C51
