When it comes to batteries, dependency on China is extremely high, says Daimler Truck boss Martin Daum. With partners he wants to set up a production himself in the future. But also relies on an alternative.
Daimler truck boss Martin Daum has expressed concern about China’s dominance in battery technology. There is an extremely high dependency on China, said Daum of the German Press Agency. “Chinese companies already have the patents, the preliminary products and the raw materials,” said Daum. The world market is dominated by China for 80 percent. “I always think it’s difficult when you’re dependent on a single country.”
“We will certainly set up our own battery production with partners, albeit a little later than the car companies,” said Daum. But in case of doubt, Chinese patents are also behind the cooperation. And even if you produce the batteries yourself, the preliminary products are still missing.
“We will never be energy self-sufficient. Germany has always imported a large part of its energy requirements – why should it suddenly be different, especially with green energy. Hydrogen can be obtained from many sources,” said Daum. In terms of technology and energy production, you would be independent of a single country.
In the second half of this decade, Daimler Truck intends to sell production vehicles with hydrogen-based fuel cell drives.
Source: Stern
