The Powertrain of Tomorrow 2020

Increasingly stringent legislation on CO₂ emissions as well as newly designed, more demanding test cycles including real driving situations are causing a paradigm change. Electrification is advancing, and powertrains need to be dimensioned more strongly within the integrated network of combustion engine, transmission and electrification. Thematically, the focus of this international conference is on powertrain synthesis, whereas components and vehicle integration form the basis. This is because the cause-effect relationships are becoming more and more complex, digitalization is on the increase and different markets need to be served. Systems thinking, intelligent management and new development methods play crucial roles here.

Internal combustion engines will play a key role in the powertrain mix of the future. However, they need to change in such a way that they meet the requirements of various powertrain configurations. Their technical development must not only be optimized with regard to the specific purpose, it must also be able to withstand consideration in a holistic context.

A decisive factor will be the energy storage system. Should the focus be on batteries? What are the industrialisation possibilities of chemical storage media such as hydrogen, synthetic gases, or liquid fuels?

We will answer these questions and evaluate the powertrain solutions under development. How will familiar drive systems continue to develop? Will the huge variety of configurations lead to dead ends? Can modern engines meet the requirements? And last but not least: is our infrastructure capable of providing and distributing the energy necessary?