Thinking Ahead and Shaping the Future

Vehicle batteries on a special IAV test stand.

Digitization and Electric Mobility

But where will the road actually take them? Even today, digitization is certainly playing a growing role. Large IT companies are aggressively moving into a technically alien industry, which is why IAV seeks partnerships with them. “That is how we develop know-how for ourselves and for our customers that will be needed in the future to build automated, emission-free and networked cars,” said Kurt Blumenröder, IAV’s Chief Executive. The engineering firm itself has abundant expertise on another important range of themes: electric mobility. Wolfgang Reimann is responsible for the development of electric and hybrid powertrains. Back in the 1990s, he took part in the development of the “City Stromer,” a Volkswagen Golf II with electric drive produced in a run of 120 units.

600 Experts on Electric Powertrains

Today the task is to get electric cars in shape for competition with conventional vehicles. Here IAV can draw on 600 experts in its own ranks. Improvements in battery systems and the vehicles’ range – which can still decline appreciably in cold weather – are still a challenge. Whenever a manufacturer runs into problems, IAV’s specialists are not far away. But they don’t just deal with today’s challenges. As Reimann sees it, “We already did the actual pioneering work four or five years ago.” So he and his team are directing their attention into the future – not least of all because electric powertrains are likely to be significantly more desirable in ten years due to legal requirements.