Berlin companies and their contribution to the transport revolution

16. March 2023  – In order to achieve the climate targets by 2030, greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector must be significantly reduced, as they have remained almost unchanged since the 1990s. In Berlin, the transport sector accounts for about 25 per cent of the CO2 emissions caused.

Throughout Germany, the share of commercial traffic in total urban traffic has risen and currently stands at 35 per cent. This sector thus represents an important lever for reducing traffic emissions.

Sustainable corporate mobility

This is evident in sustainable corporate mobility, among other things. Many Berlin companies have recognised the need for action and are not only helping to reduce emissions by switching to sustainable mobility solutions. Mobility management tailored to company needs can reduce costs in the long term and also have a positive effect on image and employee satisfaction. Sustainability, accessibility, health, safety and comfort are increasingly becoming conditions for contemporary employee mobility in companies. Where once a large company car park and a company car were enough to meet internal company needs, the requirements for company mobility have fundamentally changed. The measures are varied and range from the electrification of the vehicle fleet, the promotion of bicycle use or the introduction of mobility budgets to the integration of sharing services.

Berlin companies are setting a good example

The Berlin-Adlershof-based company AEMtec GmbH for example, promotes cycling among its workforce by offering employees company bike leasing. The company leases the bicycle for the employee for 36 months, which the employee can then call his or her own after making a purchase payment. An added bonus - in addition to the employee loyalty and the integration into the company health management - are the cost savings compared to a direct purchase. Those who do not want to lease a company bike can make use of the company's own e-bikes and use them for trips on campus; in some cases, they can even be borrowed for private use. The vehicle fleet is also undergoing a transformation. Half of the fleet of ten vehicles is already electric; the necessary charging infrastructure in the company car park was also taken care of.

The electrification of the fleet is also being driven forward in the craft sector. The organic bakery Beumer & Lutum GmbH has been using electric vehicles for six years. Half of their van fleet is already electrified. The higher acquisition costs were partly offset by the use of subsidies. The goal is to electrify the remaining vehicles. In the spirit of the transport revolution, the bakery uses the self-generated electricity from its own photovoltaic system to charge its vehicles. For catering deliveries, the company leaves the cars behind and relies on the cargo bike instead. Cargo bikes are becoming increasingly popular for delivery, as they allow faster deliveries through urban traffic and also usually do not require a driving licence. Currently, the purchase of cargo bikes and cargo trailers with electric drive support for companies is also eligible for funding.

SAP is also pursuing ambitious goals to make corporate mobility sustainable. The large corporation introduced the first e-vehicles into its corporate fleet more than ten years ago and plans to completely electrify its fleet by 2030, which currently comprises around 17,000 vehicles in Germany. Above all, however, the company sets a good example when it comes to the topic of mobility budgets. As an alternative to the company car, from April this year the Group's employees will be able to choose their own means of transport. Whether train, taxi, car or bike sharing - a mobility budget gives them flexibility in choosing their preferred means of transport. In this way, SAP is setting an important example for employee benefits beyond the company car.

E-mobility stock figures

Looking at the recently published figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), it is clear that e-mobility is continuing to gain momentum. According to current figures (as of 1.01.2023) from the KBA, there are already 58,496 electric motor vehicles in Berlin and 39,206 electric motor vehicles in Brandenburg. This means that the share of e-vehicles in Berlin has increased by another 61.7 percent compared to 2021 (Brandenburg 61 percent). Of the electric passenger cars in Berlin, 58 percent are used commercially, while 42 percent of the vehicles are in private use. Commercial traffic therefore plays a decisive role for electromobility in urban areas. You can find more current figures, data and facts at Berlin Agency for Electromobility eMO - News (emo-berlin.de).