The Wuppertal Institute developed a scenario which depicts decarbonising mobility and transport in Germany by 2035. Meeting this objective would contribute to achieving the Paris Agreement to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.

A systematic reduction of passenger transport and freight transport growth is at the heart. In addition, the scenario systematically shifts transport towards environmental friendly modes; and vehicles in the remaining fleet become more efficient. The scenario largely electrifies passenger cars, while in freight transport the electrification of propulsion systems is supplemented by a power-to-liquid strategy.

The scenario shows that the ambitious objective of full decarbonisation demands innovative strategies. It is paramount to bolster active transport and public transport. The analysis also highlights that, fiscal policies that make use of private car expensive are crucial to achieve the decarbonisation goal: introducing an admission tax and further developing the exisiting German circulation tax for private vehicles. An increase on the tax on automobiles should be based on their energy efficiency. Moreover, the scenario presumes a distance based toll on motorways.

The implementation of the scenario would transform conventional mobility trends by reducing car dependency in Germany and it would implicate many other environmental and social benefits.