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Embassy Symposium Discusses “Engines for the Future”
Innovative, energy efficient technologies in the automobile sector can lead the way out of the global addiction to oil. But which technology is the most promising? Biofuels, diesel, hybrid or hydrogen? And in which way can the transatlantic partners cooperate to promote these new technologies most efficiently?
As part of a series of events during the German EU and G8 presidencies, the German Embassy hosted a symposium, “Engines for the Future,” on the sidelines of the Washington Auto Show on January 23, bringing together representatives of industry; US, EU and German governments and other experts to discuss the latest technology trends and to engage the private and public sectors in dialogue.
“The intention … is to combine the excitement of new automotive technologies with the policy issue of energy security, climate change and transatlantic cooperation,” Ambassador Klaus Scharioth said in opening the symposium at the Washington Convention Center. “These issues are a high priority for Germany in our current role as President of the European Union and of the G8. In cooperation with the EU Commission, we would like to promote renewable energies, increase energy efficiency and cut down on CO2 emissions.”
In the symposium’s keynote, US Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) announced that he and US Rep. Bob Inglis (R-SC) would re-file their H-Prize hydrogen incentive bill, H-Prize Act of 2007, which would provide cash awards, including a $10 million grand prize, for technological advancements and breakthroughs in moving to a hydrogen economy.
In an introductory note, Wolfgang Hahn, director general, German Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, outlined Germany’s national fuel strategy for moving to hydrogen fuel in the long-term and called for a global strategy on moving away from fossil fuels.
Participants on the first panel, “Which Automotive Technology Belongs to the Future, moderated by Washington Post car columnist Warren Brown, included senior representatives from Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Bosch and the Diesel Technology Forum. The second panel, “Transatlantic Cooperation,” brought together representatives from the US Department of Commerce, the European Commission Delegation, the German Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, DaimlerChrysler and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
“I hope that these technologies can create a win-win situation with regard to foreign policy,” Ambassador Scharioth said. “If the industry in cooperation with governments could find an alternative to gasoline that makes sense, this would be an important step in solving also political conflicts that evolve about oil. The problem of climate change is tackled, while at the same time we will ensure the mobility of our society, also for future generations.” January 23, 2007 Links
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