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Sponsor Wittenborg looks back at Successful Symposium "Innovation and Sustainability in the Mobility Sector"

On Tuesday, the 24th of May, a symposium took place in the building of ROC Aventus and Wittenborg University, with various experts explaining their vision – and having a group discussion – on several issues dealing with innovation and sustainability in the mobility sector. There were two main questions to be answered: “Which fuels will we use 20 years from now?” and “Which consequences does this have for the mobility sector and the education of people working in this sector?”.

It all began with an opening speech by Apeldoorn alderman Olaf Prinsen (also responsible for Sustainability), where he zoomed in on the growing supply of education in Apeldoorn including the cooperation between Webster University and Wittenborg University, and Brighton University and Wittenborg University.

After this, Jeroen van der Veer, former CEO of Royal Dutch Shell took the floor. Van der Veer (picture) explained his vision on the use of fossil fuels in the future. A short movie which was shot at the Autosalon 2011 in Genève followed, showing us how manufacturers in the car industry judge and act on the developments in mobility and sustainability.

Eric Beers, chairman of the Platform Elektrische Mobiliteit (Platform Electric Mobility) and partner of Hytruck, followed by explaining his views on alternative fuels.

Shortly thereafter, a panel of Jeroen van der Veer, Eric Beers, Maarten Steinbuch (Professor at TU Eindhoven), Ton Roks (former editor in chief of Autovisie), and Marco van Beek (entrepreneur and Bovag board member) held a debate in which all previously mentioned statements and views were put forward.

A comedian rounded off the symposium by giving a comical summary of the whole event, with help of his guitar and ukulele.

The well-organized symposium, for which Wittenborg University created the stylish website, put forward the following conclusions: diesel will stay in existence for a long time (becoming more and more sustainable), in the future a growing share of city traffic will drive electrically, and 20 years from now a lot of different fuels will co-exist and be applied either in combination with each other (hybrid) or separately, each having its own regional value (electric for in the city, biogas for farmers). Another thing which became clear is that, due to limited battery capacity, 100% electric cars will not be fit for long trips, at least not in the near future.