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24 As a service provider to the vehicle and supplier industry and also to manufactur- ers of fuels, the engineers and experts at KST provide testing and assessment ser- vices for the entire spectrum of electric and combustion engines as well as hybrid and hydrogen engines. In many respects, the knowledge gained through this puts into perspective discussions held in the media and politics relating to the end of combus- tion engines. If we in the transport sector want to come anywhere close to achieving our demand- ing climate policy goals, there is, without a doubt, a need for a fundamental transfor- mation in drive technology. However, the battery-electric engine is only part of the solution. Its climate efficiency is first and foremost dependent on the availability of green electricity, which, in the short to mid-term, will obviously not be available to the planned extent. The charging infra- structure represents a further problem. It is being upgraded with intensity and with state support, however, it is far from being sufficiently available everywhere. Even in the most important automotive market of China or other markets outside of Europe, the development of a charging infrastruc- ture will take years. What’s more, electric engines are only at the start of a long, ap- plication-based technological development process and the result is expected to be the realisation of even more significant effi- ciency potential. For all these reasons, the existence of other climate-friendly engines as an alternative to electric engines should not be denied. Hydrogen fuel cell technologies and the fur- ther development of synthetic fuels are the main contenders. Synthetic fuels – known as E-fuels – or even hydrogen have the advantage that they could be used on the basis of existing and highly developed combustion technology. The argument that synthetic fuels would be far less efficient than the electric engine is Drive technology must embrace technologies rather than monostructures By Prof. Dr. Gerhard Reiff, Chairman of the Executive Board, KST-Motorenversuch GmbH & Co. KG For over 50 years, KST Motorenversuch GmbH & Co. KG in Bad Dürkheim has worked as an independent develop- ment service provider and test field operator for automobile manufacturers, manufacturers of vehicle drive assemblies and components, manufacturers of heavy duty engines and vehicle fuels, and also their suppliers. Images: © KST-Motorenversuch GmbH & Co. KG put into perspective by looking at the com- plete value creation chain. E-fuels do not require a charging infrastructure nor expen- sive battery technology – from their develop- ment to their disposal. This all demands a prosaic view of com- bustion technology, one which is not influ- enced by political prejudices. The hidden potential for development potential has most recently been proven with the diesel