However, experts are unable to agree on whether there will be 100 percent electromobility in the future. Dr. David Bothe is one proponent who argues that for many countries, switching all existing engines and terminal units such as internal combustion engines and heaters to electricity consumers would not be the wisest option from an economic perspective. The energy expert from the Frontier Economics consulting firm has calculated that Germany could become CO₂ neutral by 2050 if we aim to achieve a mixture of energy sources and that this, when compared with all-out electrification, would save €300 billion. In this scenario, green electricity would be used indirectly: Part of it would be used to produce hydrogen, which would then be used with CO₂ to create synthetic fuels. This has advantages and disadvantages: Producing hydrogen in this way incurs energy loss of around 25 percent. Every additional process step further reduces the amount of energy from the electricity used that ultimately remains stored in the fuel. However, there are major benefits, including the fact that synthetic fuels can be used in existing and technologically advanced internal combustion engines. They can be blended into conventional gasoline or diesel, in some cases even without any technical modifications. In addition, there already is a well-established global fuel station network.
In order to be prepared for all potential future mobility scenarios, ZF is taking an open approach to technology. The company shows its expertise, particularly in system solutions.