Lecture series: Transformation in the automotive industry - From the combustion engine to the electric motor as a stage?

The lecture series "Transformations and the urban-rural relationship (in North Hesse)" focuses on different facets of the socio-ecological turnaround, including the region of North Hesse. Every week, two speakers from academia and practice will give lectures and discuss with each other. One of the lectures will be dedicated to reviewing the general state of knowledge on individual aspects of the transformation. The second lecture will focus on North Hesse and discuss the challenges arising from the socio-ecological transition for the region. The aim is to work out which new urban-rural conflicts are associated with the expansion of renewable energies, which challenges the North Hessian economy is facing and that the transformation processes not only have an economic side, but are also changing the North Hessian party and media landscape

Organization: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schroeder, Head of Department Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany - Statehood in Transition

Topic on 08.11.2022: Transformation in the automotive industry - From the combustion engine to the electric motor as a stage?
The automotive industry has been the backbone of the German economy for many decades. For a long time, this model sector of German export-oriented industry managed to seal itself off from all ecological demands and stick to the combustion engine. Those days are over - at the latest since the EU plans to only allow climate-neutral new cars from 2035. The transition from the combustion engine to electromobility poses major challenges not only for the automotive industry, but also for the state and society. The VW plant in Baunatal is an important player in northern Hesse, where this transformation process and its consequences for employees and the region can be studied.

Speakers:Dr. Martin Schwarz-Kocher (IMU Institute Stuttgart), Carsten Bätzold (Chairman of the Works Council VW Baunatal)