Prof. Dr. Bernhard Geringer, organiser of the International Vienna Motor Symposium, sees opportunities for electric, e-fuel and other drive systems for motor vehicles to coexist, depending on the intended use, availability of raw materials and geographical location.
xBN: Professor Geringer, in April 2026, the 47th International Motor Symposium will take place at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, where board members and chief developers from almost all globally renowned motor vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) will meet scientists and engineers from all over the world to discuss the latest developments in engine technology. How did Vienna become such a leading technical hotspot for global engineering sciences?
Geringer: The International Vienna Motor Symposium was founded by Professor Hans-Peter Lenz, a highly dynamic professor of mechanical engineering and automotive technology who initiated the first symposium on motor vehicles and the environment at the Vienna University of Technology back in 1979. He brought countless big names from the automotive industry, such as Mr. Piech, Mr. Källenius and Mr. Zetsche, to Vienna and he made the Vienna Motor Symposium, which has been organised by the Austrian Society for Automotive Engineering since 1985, one of the world’s leading events of its kind.
xBN: How do you assess the EU’s recent U-turn on the ‘combustion engine ban’?
The recent departure from the originally planned EU-wide ban on CO2-emitting engines from 2035 should not be seen as a political U-turn, but rather as a move towards the technical reality of future drive systems, as outlined by China in its new roadmap, ‘Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Technology Roadmap 3.0’.
xBN: Speaking of China, how do you see global developments in drive systems for motor vehicles – from two-wheelers to passenger cars and commercial vehicles?
As unbelievable as it may seem, I detect a kind of consensus here between the diverging economic blocs around the world, which are obviously pursuing different strategies. While in the US and other NAFTA countries, despite the global climate debate, the slogan ‘Drill Baby Drill’, i.e. the use of petrol and diesel engines, still seems to be relevant, there is still no agreement in the EU as to whether ‘electric only’ or a kind of technology neutrality is the right way forward. Asia, with China, Japan, India and Korea, is fully committed to technological openness and is going full throttle in both the electric and hybrid sectors, while South America and MERCOSUR are focusing on ‘pure bioenergy’, i.e. e-fuels.
xBN: What does this consensus look like in concrete terms from a technical perspective?
I would describe it as a technology-neutral balance between, on the one hand, 100 per cent battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and, on the other hand, hybrid drives. Furthermore, hydrogen technology and classic combustion engines with sustainable fuels still have their place, depending on the geographical region, availability of raw materials and type of vehicle, i.e. motorbikes, cars or commercial vehicles, ships, aeroplanes or trains.
xBN: The 100 best technical lectures on technological innovations were selected from those submitted. What will the approximately 1,000 participants from more than 20 countries hear?
Geringer: As mentioned, the focus is on key areas of innovation such as efficient hybrids, new electric drives (BEVs), but also components such as wheel hub motors in series production or emotive high-performance hybrids with even V8 or V12 base engines. The aim is to increase overall efficiency through the system integration of combustion engines and improved electric motors, but also through hydrogen and e-fuel concepts for specific applications and life cycle assessment as a future benchmark for CO₂ reduction.
xBN: As always, you will once again have renowned manufacturers and research institutions as speakers in 2026. Who will be there this time?
Geringer: Let me start with a lady: Ruiping Wang will be speaking at the opening session. She is CEO of Aurobay Technologies Division, part of the Chinese-European automotive supplier group Horse Powertrain, and will present the global perspective of a major hybrid engine and transmission supplier. She will also talk about the need for hybrid systems and green fuels to accelerate electrification. Prof. Stefan Pischinger, Head of the Institute of Thermodynamics at Aachen University of Technology and Chairman of the Board of Engineering company FEV, will speak on ‘The future of drive systems against the backdrop of CO2 fleet targets’. In addition, Matthias Zink, Member of the Executive Board Powertrain & Chassis at Schaeffler AG and President of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, CLEPA, will give a presentation on ‘Europe at a crossroads – turning global challenges into opportunities’.
This year, Audi’s Chief Technology Officer Geoffrey Bouqout will also be coming to Vienna. He sees ‘AI as the driving force behind transformation in the automotive industry,’ while Alpine CEO Philippe Krief from the Renault Group will talk about how to build ‘a true electric sports car.’
xBN: Speaking of sports cars: will there be any other exciting innovations presented in Vienna in this area?
Geringer: Yes, high-performance engines from Porsche, Mahle and Lamborghini, among others, will be competing: Porsche is presenting a hybridised bi-turbo six-cylinder boxer engine for the new 911 Turbo S for the first time. Under the motto ‘From vision to speed’, Mahle is coming to Vienna with a ‘V12 hybrid powertrain for ultimate performance in a hypercar’, and Lamborghini is also presenting its new high-performance hybrid for the Temerario GT3 super sports car.
xBN: And what is happening in the heavy vehicle sector?
Geringer: Representing all truck manufacturers, Niklas Klingenberg, CEO of the TRATON Group (Scania, MAN and VW), will speak about the ‘Future of powertrains in a changing global environment’. The US manufacturer Cummins will be presenting a hydrogen combustion engine for extremely high demands (‘heavy duty’), i.e. also for rail vehicles or ships, in Vienna. The Chinese FAW Group (First Automotive Works) will present hydrogen technology for decarbonising heavy commercial vehicles, and AVL, in cooperation with Scania, will showcase its new H2 HPDI system for ‘high-pressure direct injection of hydrogen as a pioneer for zero emissions and 60 per cent efficiency’!
xBN: What other innovations from the vast world of the automotive industry will be presented at the Hofburg?
Geringer: Toyota is coming out of Japan with a hybrid innovation of tomorrow, a ‘next-generation hybrid system for plug-in hybrid vehicles.’ VW AG is also presenting its latest hybrid generation, and BMW is announcing details of its new ‘GEN6’ battery-electric drive for the first time.
The Indian Tata Group is presenting its new 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine family in Vienna, Audi is unveiling a new V6 TDI that combines modern diesel engine technology with a powerful hybrid powertrain, and Mercedes is showcasing the ‘evolution of the new inline six-cylinder diesel engine’, the OM 656 Evo.
Last but not least, Chinese car manufacturer Chery is unveiling a new hybrid petrol engine that achieves an efficiency of 48 per cent in series production. Developed in collaboration with Austrian technology group AVL, this innovation is likely to mark the definitive breakthrough for range extenders.
xBN: Thank you very much for the interview.
Further details about the programme can be found here:
https://wiener-motorensymposium.at/en/programme
Visitors to the 47th International Vienna Motor Symposium can register at https://wiener-motorensymposium.at/en/registration from 14 January 2026.
