The future of mobility: expert panel in Vienna discusses battery logistics and electric mobility
Vienna, February 13th 2025 – What does the future hold for the automotive industry? What challenges will the transition to electric mobility bring? These and many other questions were the focus of the ‘Battery Logistics and E-Mobility’ symposium, hosted by the Lagermax Group and LogBATT GmbH at the Hilton Vienna Waterfront hotel on Thursday, February 13th.
High-level experts from business and science discussed decarbonisation, efficient battery logistics and the development of the automotive industry in Europe. Approximately 130 guests from business and the media paid particular attention to the presentations by industry experts such as Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, Alexander Friesz, Michael Knobloch and Michael Ausserdorfer, who provided valuable insights and forward-looking perspectives. The event was moderated by Austrian star presenter and sports journalist Kristina Inhofer.
4 topics, 4 experts, 4 keynotes
The four keynote speeches focused on the following topics:
- Alexander Friesz (CEO Lagermax Group) – Current challenges and opportunities of the energy transition and decarbonisation in the logistics industry
- Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer (Director CAR-Institute) – The global automotive markets, the electric car and the battery value chain
- Michael Knobloch (Global Head of Sales/Marketing LogBATT GmbH) – 360° Battery Logistics
- Michael Ausserdorfer (General Manager Waste Management FRIKUS Transportlogistik GmbH) – Future Waste – closing the waste cycle
Sustainable logistics: Alexander Friesz calls for a technology-open transformation
In his presentation, Alexander Friesz, CEO of Lagermax Group, made it clear that the logistics industry needs a sustainable rethink in order to achieve the EU’s ambitious climate goals. He spoke out in favour of a technology-open transformation and urged that political decision-makers urgently address existing infrastructure deficits. The transformation must not only make ecological sense, but also be economically viable in order to enable companies to develop in a long-term and future-proof manner.
Europe’s race to catch up in electric mobility: Dudenhöffer urges stronger cooperation with China
Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer provided in-depth insights into the global automotive industry and the development of electric mobility. He made particularly clear the gap between Europe and China – especially in battery production. While 2.9 million new energy vehicles (NEV) were sold in Europe in 2024, the figure in China was an impressive 10.7 million. To remain competitive, closer cooperation with Chinese companies is essential, says Dudenhöffer. Joint projects could optimise production processes and reduce costs. He sees the start of VW battery cell production in Salzgitter in 2025 as an encouraging sign – an important test for Europe’s automotive industry.
Battery logistics in transition: innovative solutions for a sustainable future
Michael Knobloch, Global Head of Sales and Marketing at LogBATT GmbH, highlighted the growing challenges of battery logistics in the face of the rapid growth of electromobility. From safe storage and transport to legally compliant disposal, he examined the entire supply chain and presented innovative approaches to 360-degree logistics from LogBATT. In particular, reverse logistics plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable and legally compliant battery disposal. Efficient return processes are essential to meet environmental regulations and keep valuable raw materials in circulation.
Recycling reimagined: future technologies for less waste
Michael Ausserdorfer, General Manager Waste Management at FRIKUS Transportlogistik GmbH, highlighted the importance of the circular economy and the ‘Future Waste’ concept in his presentation. Every year, Austria generates over 74 million tonnes of waste – but only 35 per cent of it is recycled. Innovative technologies are needed to improve this rate. Ausserdorfer presented pioneering approaches such as chemical recycling, AI-supported sorting and blockchain technologies that make material flows more transparent and efficient. The automotive industry, in particular, is setting a good example by already successfully implementing recycling concepts for vehicle parts, said Ausserdorfer.
Key message: e-mobility and battery logistics between challenges and opportunities
The symposium made it unmistakably clear: electric mobility and battery logistics are at a decisive turning point. While the industry is confronted with major challenges, enormous opportunities are also arising. Experts emphasised the necessity of close cooperation between politics, business and science in order to make the transformation sustainable and economically successful. Innovative technologies, optimised processes and international cooperation could be the key to success. European companies in particular have the opportunity to take a leading role in the global electromobility strategy – provided that they consistently focus on progress and networking.
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