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Climate catastrophe is the greatest threat to humanity. Rising sea levels, droughts, floods, heat waves and other extreme weather events threaten our health, safety and prosperity. Around 24 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted in Germany are attributable to the industrial sector (around 124 million tonnes ofCO2 equivalents in 2021) - and the trend is downwards. This results in a great responsibility and also opportunities for innovation and employment if we make production processes smarter and more energy-efficient.
We are continuously working to minimise our direct and indirect emissions in order to achieve the global goal - climate neutrality by 2050.
We generate a significant part of our electricity needs with a 500m2 photovoltaic system on the roofs of our factory buildings. The 139.5 kWp system provides us with a capacity of about 125,000 kWh per year.
Construction of a photovoltaic system
Implementation of energy audit according to DIN EN 16247
Conversion to LED lighting
Renewal of compressed air generation
Use of electric industrial trucks
Heating support in the office areas through the use of heat pumps
Facade renovation in the office areas
Why did you switch from a combustion engine to an all-electric car?
On the one hand, my curiosity about everything new led me to switch, but also my conviction that more sustainability and conservation of resources are indispensable in all areas of life in order to counteract climate change. I also wanted to test which developments would become standard in the future.
How does the car perform in everyday professional and private life?
The quality and driving style of the electric car are the same or better than those of the combustion engine. In my private life, where I mainly drive short distances, the e-car has convinced me completely. Low costs and the possibility of charging at home are further positive aspects. For commuters, however, I think a hybrid drive is the better alternative.
As a business car and for long distances, the electric drive is currently still proving to be less suitable. There is a lack of an adequately developed nationwide charging network with operational charging stations. Further journeys are more time-consuming and take on average 1 - 2 hours longer.
How satisfied are you with your decision?
Partly, partly. Infrastructure improvements are still necessary for use as a company car.
How do you assess the development of e-mobility in Germany?
E-mobility is on a good path. However, the network of charging stations still needs to be expanded considerably.
The demand for e-cars as small and medium-sized cars, also as company cars, will continue to increase, as the advantages such as lower weight, less consumption, less space requirement will play an increasingly important role.
I see SUVs with e-drives as an aberration. Cars have to become smaller because of the less space needed on the roads and because of the high energy consumption of the big cars. In addition, increasing digitalisation makes travel less necessary."
SOMMER recently installed a PV system, which also supplies your vehicle with energy - does that pay off or are you a 'man of conviction'?
E-mobility only works together with renewable energy. Photovoltaics and electric cars naturally pay off.
What is your forecast on the subject of e-mobility?
In view of climate change, electric and hybrid cars will be in ever greater demand in the next 5 years. There will be a trend towards small and medium-sized cars with electric drives.
Increasing digitalisation will make less business travel necessary. The prerequisite is that new transport networks such as rail and car sharing are rapidly expanded.
We created a 5000m2 wildflower meadow on a fallow area on our company premises, which attracts all kinds of life - bees, butterflies, wild rabbits and employees recharging their batteries have been spotted.
Although a flowering meadow has less of an effect on the climate than a forest, it promotes biodiversity, soil quality and the microclimate. A species-rich meadow stores and filters water much better than a lawn and helps cool the air above ground through evaporation.
While a diseased soil is a greenhouse gas emitter, a healthy soil binds carbon from the air and becomes an effective carbon sink.
