Interview Florian Huettl: Better a pioneer than a latecomer to e-mobility

Opel is focusing on electromobility and remains true to its strategy of offering only electric vehicles from 2028. In an interview, Opel CEO Florian Huettl explains: "For us, the path is clear, and that was already the case before the 2035 bombardment. From our point of view, battery technology is the only way to make zero-emission mobility widely available. It's better to go down this path as a pioneer rather than a laggard."

However, the head of the German brand in the Stellantis Group criticizes the reduction in government subsidies. "That's not good, and it doesn't help us, because on the road to electromobility, we need a whole-of-society effort." Huettl said the industry needs "credibility and reliability, plannability and dependability, and that's also a task for the government."

In light-duty vehicles, Opel is leading the development of fuel cell technology for the Stellantis Group, which will be used in light-duty vehicles. "We see hydrogen being used primarily in the commercial sector. The Vivaro-e Hydrogen will be followed in the foreseeable future by the Movano with fuel cell. Today, the vehicles are still produced in Rüsselsheim in a small-series production. In the future, we will start large-scale production at the French plant in Hourdain." (aum/ww)