We will do it”

We will do it”

Motor vehicle economy: Ms. Teufelberger, what grade would you currently give Austria when it comes to e-mobility? 
Ute Teufelberger: I think Austria doesn’t have to hide when it comes to e-mobility. On the contrary: we are on the right track in many areas. For example, the current funding model provides the right incentives, which ensure strong demand, especially from businesses. If good, affordable mid-range car models, such as the classic “family carriage”, come onto the market, the next big wave will probably follow.

After a hesitant start, e-mobility is now actually picking up speed in Austria. However, as in other countries (such as Germany), the big weak point is the charging infrastructure. How do you rate the status quo?
When it comes to charging infrastructure, the chicken-and-egg problem has been solved in recent years and a comprehensive network has been created that is now continually being condensed and strengthened. 

Do you see a risk that supply gaps could even become larger because the expansion of the charging infrastructure cannot keep pace with market growth in car sales?
Of course it will be a challenge, but we will do it. The basis of the public charging infrastructure in Austria is good. A major success factor in this context will also be that charging at home will be legally simplified. 

You are talking about apartment buildings. How can the situation there be improved?
Would tenancy law also need to be adapted? Correct. What is important is that when setting up a charging station, the unanimity required today among the owners no longer applies and the approval process becomes easier. A simple majority would be the right step. In this regard, an amendment to the Condominium Act has been announced for the first quarter. Facilitating tenancy law would then be the next important step. 

You are also the person responsible for e-mobility at EVN. What relevant projects are there in Lower Austria and what lessons do you learn from them?
There was an interesting project in the community of Echsenbach, where 24 houses in a settlement were equipped with electric cars for five months. The aim was to try out network-friendly charging and fair conditions for everyone, as well as to obtain extensive user experience. This showed that the power grid is in good condition and offers good conditions for high e-car densities. However, in some areas it is possible without it 
network expansion is not possible.

If sales continue to grow and in a few years every second Austrian or even more will own an electric car, will there be enough electricity and, above all, enough green electricity?
No. If all Austrians drove electrically, we would have to increase our generation capacity by around 15 percent. Until we talk about these magnitudes, a lot of water will still flow down the Danube.

What is your position in the association on the subject of plug-in hybrids?
In new studies, these are increasingly being exposed as green deceptions that produce far more CO2 than claimed and, according to environmental associations, do not deserve any funding at all. For us it would be important that if the decision is made for a hybrid and it is also promoted, we ensure that it is also driven electrically. Of course, checking this is almost impossible in practice, although there are examples where leased cars were returned years later with charging cables in their original packaging. In order to be able to answer this question conclusively, we have to observe how demand develops as the range of purely electric cars increases. 

What are your specific market expectations with regard to e-mobility?
How many vehicles will realistically be in Austria in five or ten years? We are currently in the curve predicted by the AIT. In December the number of new registrations was 14 percent. We assume that we are already at the beginning of the steep rise on the exponential curve.