Transport system · What comes next
Which engines will power lorries, ships and aircraft in 2040, and how much of the driving will machines do? Germany's answer is still open, and Steffen Bilger has a clear and long-documented stance on how to keep it open. This sheet explains the technologies, what the ministry is funding, and the arguments on both sides.
Technology map
A simplified overview of the main options under discussion for each mode. Filled cells mark technologies the Federal Ministry for Transport announced funding for between August and October 2026. Outlined cells are options in the wider debate.
| Mode | Battery-electric | Hydrogen / fuel cell | Synthetic fuels | Automation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | Main zero-emission option for new cars | Niche | Debated for existing fleet | Assistance-system approval (Oct 2026) |
| Lorries | ~€1 bn Autobahn fast-charging network | In trials | Debated | €14 m call incl. freight |
| Buses & shuttles | Widespread in cities | Some fleets | — | €14 m call; DZM project RISE |
| Inland ships | Zero-emission vessels, up to €14 m | €70 m green corridors incl. H2 refuelling | Methanol, ammonia refuelling | Research |
| Aviation | €25.6 m airport ground power | Long term | eSAF: up to €2 bn (Germany) | — |
| Rail | Overhead electrification, battery trains | Some regional trains | — | ERTMS, DAK, DZM sites |
Filled BMV funding or decision announced Aug–Oct 2026 Outlined option in the wider debate, no new BMV programme in this period
Section A — alternative drives
According to the Federal Environment Agency, transport emissions rose again in 2025. Much of the debate about the future therefore concerns the engine. The ministry's announcements in Bilger's first weeks covered every mode except the private car.
On 15 September 2026, at the IAA Transportation in Hanover, Bilger announced that the nationwide fast-charging network for electric lorries was moving into delivery. About €1 billion is going into some 4,200 charging points at around 350 Autobahn sites, including about 1,800 using the Megawatt Charging System. Details are on freight transport.
On 21 September 2026 Germany, Austria and Luxembourg launched a joint support scheme for eSAF. This is electricity-based sustainable aviation fuel, made from renewable hydrogen and a sustainable source of carbon. A "double auction" matches producers and buyers, and the state covers the price gap. Germany is committing up to €2 billion, Austria and Luxembourg up to €60 million each. The scheme still needs EU state-aid approval. The three countries are founding members of an eSAF Early Movers' Coalition set up in December 2025.
Europa braucht bei eSAF nicht nur ambitionierte Ziele, sondern Investitionen in die industrielle Produktion.
“When it comes to eSAF, Europe needs not just ambitious targets but investment in industrial production.” (translation)
Steffen Bilger, BMV press release 088/2026, 21 September 2026
For inland shipping the ministry opened €70 million for green shipping corridors on 10 August 2026. The money covers vessel retrofits and port infrastructure for charging and for hydrogen, ammonia and methanol. A further call of up to €14 million for zero-emission vessels followed on 21 August. On 31 August Parliamentary State Secretary Christian Hirte announced about €3.2 million for a methanol-capable hybrid propulsion system on the heavy-lift ship "PATRICIA". In September the ministry awarded €25.6 million to 15 recipients for ground power and pre-conditioned air at airports, so that parked aircraft do not need to run their own engines.
Automation
Automation is the second major change. The ministry's €14 million funding call of 31 August 2026 targets public transport and freight. The German Centre for Future Mobility (DZM) now has five sites: Hamburg (sensors, AI, smart infrastructure), Karlsruhe (automated public transport and platooning), Minden (automated rail systems), Annaberg-Buchholz (rail communications) and, since 1 October 2026, Munich. There the RISE project aims to move automated public-transport systems from research into regular operation.
For private cars, the near-term question is driver assistance, not autonomy. In October 2026 the ministry set out its conditions for EU-wide approval of a Tesla assistance system: a tolerance of at most 10% above speed limits, and full driver responsibility. The systems are explained on digital mobility.
Gerade in ländlichen Regionen und in städtischen Randlagen können autonome Fahrzeuge das öffentliche Verkehrsangebot sinnvoll ergänzen.
“In rural regions and on the edges of cities in particular, autonomous vehicles can usefully complement public transport.” (translation)
Steffen Bilger, BMV press release 080/2026, 31 August 2026
Documented stance, 2018–2026
Technologieoffenheit is the idea that the state should set goals, such as lower emissions, without prescribing one technology to reach them. It is a core CDU/CSU position, and Bilger has argued for it consistently.
Technologieoffenheit ist wichtig. Als Autobauerland Nummer eins muss es unser Ziel sein, bei jeder Technologie an der Spitze zu sein.
“Technology openness is important. As the number one car-making country, our goal must be to lead in every technology.” (translation)
Steffen Bilger, interview with trans aktuell / eurotransport.de, 7 September 2018
Wir haben nicht nur den deutschen Markt, sondern als Automobilland Deutschland verkaufen wir die Autos in die ganze Welt.
“We don't only have the German market; as a car-making country, Germany sells cars to the whole world.” (translation)
Steffen Bilger, RTL/ntv "Frühstart", 8 October 2025, on the combustion-engine phase-out — via Berliner Zeitung
In the same 2018 interview he said: Wer jetzt den Diesel verteufelt, hat nicht zu Ende gedacht
("Anyone who demonises diesel now hasn't thought it through", translation). He made the 2025 remarks as First Parliamentary Secretary of the CDU/CSU group, not as minister. No statement on the 2035 phase-out made since he took office in July 2026 was found in the sources.
Competing views
Technology openness is contested. The positions below summarise the main lines of argument in the German debate. They are not quotations.