It is a future trend that is highly relevant to the retail sector: electromobility. Since joining the international initiative EV100 in 2017, METRO is actively promoteing e-mobility. A survey.
When it comes to electromobility, there is no stopping him. His heart beats in volts and kilowatts, and the ambitious climate protection goals of METRO are a matter of great urgency to him. We are talking about Olaf Schulze, Energy Manager at METRO PROPERTIES. The company plans to make more than 1,000 charging points available to its customers by 2030 and he is doing everything in his power to achieve this. Schulze is confident because more than 540 charging stations have already been installed - for example at all stores in Hungary, Poland, Moldova and Portugal. That is where we are at today. Schulze said: “Things are going well. We are on schedule. In fact, I am sure we will have 1,000 charging stations sooner than planned.”
By joining the EV100 initiative, METRO has undertaken to advance the expansion of charging infrastructure in the countries where it operates, at the METRO Campus in Düsseldorf and in the car parks of the METRO stores. Electromobility is also promoted in the company's own fleet.
Olaf, what opportunities are there for the employee to get an e-car and what incentives are there?
We have a policy that allows e-cars without any restrictions, and the government supports this with the company car regulation (keyword 0.5% regulation). Meanwhile there is a package of relief from the government: an electromobility premium of up to €4,000 and a ten-year vehicle tax waiver. At METRO, we offer charging at our stations for free to all our customers, employees and business partners. When the CO2 tax comes into force, EV drivers will have the last laugh while diesel and petrol users might well break out in a cold sweat at the petrol station.
What will happen when everyone drives an electric car? Will the grid collapse?
Put simply, yes and no. If everyone were to charge their car at the same time, it would. But sensible load management and pricing signals will ensure that people charge their cars when there is enough electricity available. Customers at the METRO stores can charge their cars on site. Is the average duration of a shopping trip long enough? Absolutely. It is plenty of time for most cars, although you wouldn’t fill up a depleted Tesla in that time, of course. During each trip to METRO, our customers can put 100 kilometres into their batteries, give or take.
Aside from your professional passion for the topic, how do you personally reduce your CO2 footprint?
Good Question: I often go by train. For years by now. And if you stay cool and are a little tolerant, you can optimize well here to the airplane. From Easter to October all Schulze men in my family shower in the garden, that hardens and doesn't need hot water.... Any personal contribution begins in the head - it is pure willingness to do the "extra mile" for the environment, our future and in METRO's case for our professional customers. Every contribution counts!
By promoting the use of electromobility, METRO creates value for its customers and takes important steps to reduce its CO2 footprint. With its growing fleet of e-vans and e-lorries, METRO contributes to the reduction of air pollution in cities. This initiative improves the quality of life in metropolises such as Paris, Florence and Vienna as well as many other cities across the world.