Dr. David Bothe, Associate Director at Frontier’s Cologne office, delivered a keynote speech at the 7^th International Engine Congress in Baden-Baden, Germany.

In his presentation David highlighted that the de-fossilisation of mobility and the deployment of different technologies needs to be approached as a system-wide optimisation task. A meaningful approach should consider all interfaces and interactions with other sectors simultaneously and avoid unnecessary constraints like sector-specific targets. David stated that a sustainable choice of technologies should therefore be based on a comprehensive cross-sectoral, global and intertemporal life-cycle analysis. He highlighted that:

• using alternative fuels and PtX technologies is an integral part of the technology mix for de-fossilisation
• all drive-train technologies could allow for GHG neutral mobility, however there should be analysis of the ones which lead to the highest net saving from cradle to grave (to cradle)
• the continued use of existing infrastructure/fleet might have strong benefits compared to new 'greenfield' solutions
• the value of mobility for climate protection, sustainability goals and economic welfare needs to be taken into account

David’s findings are partly based on an on-going study on behalf of the German Research Association for Combustion Engines (FVV), in which Frontier has been carrying out a meta-analysis assessing over 80 international life-cycle analyses with a focus on drive systems.

Frontier regularly advises on global energy transition and mobility.

For more information, please contact media@frontier-economics.com or call +44 (0) 20 7031 7000.