IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 has now officially opened! Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), alongside Dr. Volker Wissing, German Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, Stephan Weil, Minister President of Lower Saxony, and Belit Onay, Mayor of Hanover, kicked off the event with representatives from the commercial vehicle industry and the press. Under the motto 'People and Goods on the Move,' the event reflects the complexity and diversity of the transport and logistics sector. The focus is on climate-neutral and digital innovations, as well as solutions for a wide range of challenges.
Hildegard Müller emphasized this in her opening speech: "The automotive and commercial vehicle industries are driving the transformation with great dedication, significant investments, and impressive innovations. Here at IAA TRANSPORTATION, the industry is demonstrating that we have already developed and are producing the products for climate-neutral mobility." Müller emphasized, "Now it's about getting these series-production vehicles on the road."
For this, a functioning infrastructure is essential—both for electric trucks and for fuel cell commercial vehicles. "The establishment of charging points for commercial vehicles is too often hindered by power grid capacity. Hauliers want to convert, they want change, and then they are confronted with the reality: the local grid operator frequently reports several years of waiting before the necessary capacities can be provided. It's clear that something is wrong here, and decisive action is urgently needed," Müller said.
With respect to alternative powertrain technologies, Müller advocated for technological openness: "A mix of technologies is the key requirement for climate-neutral mobility." Volker Wissing agreed. Focusing on the necessary infrastructure, Wissing referred in his speech to the nationwide fast-charging network for trucks, which is crucial for the future of goods flows across Europe. The tender process for building this truck fast-charging network along highways began on Monday.
Wissing also highlighted that hydrogen will play a key role in the technology mix of the future. He affirmed the government's commitment to the National Hydrogen Strategy: "It would be a mistake if Europe did not follow this path." The minister praised the focus of IAA TRANSPORTATION, calling it a great showcase for the innovation of the transport sector and related industries. "It shows how dedicated this sector is to becoming more climate-friendly and sustainable," Wissing said. He called for better alignment between climate protection and industrial policy, emphasizing that the two must not be handled separately.
In his welcoming remarks, Stephan Weil noted that when it comes to decarbonization, the question is no longer "if" but finding the right path for the challenging transformation ahead. "An international industry requires cross-border solutions," he said, referring to the commercial vehicle sector. In his speech, Belit Onay described IAA TRANSPORTATION as a flagship event in two ways: it underscores the significance of Hanover as a trade fair city and as a hub for the automotive industry. "The commercial vehicle sector in Hanover showcases how progressive it is and the solutions it offers for a livable future for all of us. It already has the technical solutions for tomorrow, especially in the areas of hydrogen propulsion and electromobility," Onay said.
