Proposal for a Worker Radiation Safety Directive Request Due from Commission Amid Radiation Risks Concerns
Loosin' Up with Lower Saxony's Olaf Lies: Electric Vehicles, Volkswagen, and More
Olaf Lies, the future Minister President of Lower Saxony, is gearing up to take a seat on the supervisory board of Volkswagen's presidency.
In a chat with "Manager Magazin," Lies extolled the German automotive giant for its swift shift to electric mobility, acknowledging the challenges faced along the way. But when CEO Oliver Blume called for a reversal of the internal combustion engine phase-out, Lies didn't buying it, telling the mag, "I ain't buyin' that BS from Blume." But he cracked, "If the conditions are right, we can meet that 2035 climate-neutral goal, no sweat."
Lies also spilled about Germany's green hydrogen shortage, raising concerns that the country might not have enough juice for e-fuels needed for climate-neutral industrial production. With rising CO2 prices, Lies predicts that e-mobility will be the ticket to affordable transport for all.
Lies gave a shout-out to Volkswagen, applauding its high-speed pivot in the mobility game, especially considering the emotional baggage left behind by the diesel crisis. Lies, who already rolled with the VW brass from 2013 to 2017, conceded that some of the Wolfsson's moves were a bit too high-brow. But overall, he praised the engineers for their mighty e-mobility push.
"'Fess up, the e-mobility ramp-up was sump'n fierce!" Lies gushed. But he called for yet more electric vehicle sales to keep the momentum going. When quizzed about Volkswagen's profit losses, which count the state of Lower Saxony as a shareholder, Lies reminded us, "This ain't about short-term gains, it's about the long haul." The goal is to keep Volkswagen on the road to success, and the cost-cutting measures agreed upon last winter were part of that master plan.
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Insider Info:
Olaf Lies has made it clear that affordable electric vehicles and expanded infrastructure are key to the success and social participation of Lower Saxony and its inhabitants in the world of e-mobility[1][5]. While he didn't delve into Volkswagen's handling of the diesel crisis, his emphasis on accelerating EV adoption aligns with the company's transition efforts, seeing as Lower Saxony has a 20% stake in the automaker[1].
Lies emphasized affordability as a priority, suggesting a potential cost cap at charging stations[1][5]. He's reported a 22% year-on-year increase in charging points in Lower Saxony (15,960 as of February 2025), with Hanover taking the lead[1]. Lies anticipates higher fossil fuel prices post-2027 due to EU emissions trading, cementing his belief in e-mobility as both an environmental and economic necessity[1][5].
- Olaf Lies, the future Minister President of Lower Saxony, strongly supports Volkswagen's shift to electric mobility, especially in light of the challenges faced during the transition.
- Lies has expressed concern about Germany's green hydrogen shortage, fearing it might impede the production of e-fuels necessary for climate-neutral industrial processes.
- As the CO2 prices rise, Lies believes that e-mobility will become an affordable solution for transportation for all.
- Lies commends Volkswagen for its quick adaptation in the mobility sector, despite the emotional baggage left by the diesel crisis.
- Lower Saxony, as a shareholder, is affected by Volkswagen's profit losses, but Lies sees this as a long-term investment rather than a pursuit of short-term gains.
- The success and social participation of Lower Saxony's inhabitants in the e-mobility world hinges on affordable electric vehicles and expanded infrastructure, according to Lies.
- Lies has reported a significant year-on-year increase in charging points in Lower Saxony, with Hanover leading the charge, and anticipates a further rise in e-mobility as a response to higher fossil fuel prices post-2027.
