Stuttgart – The current episode of the CEO Podcast Transportation Matters is about CO2-neutral freight transport of the future. The focus is on CO2 pricing – because besides the right vehicle technology and the necessary charging and refueling infrastructure, economy is a central factor for truck customers. It is the regulators who have the decisive levers for this. Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck and this year's Chair of the Commercial Vehicle Board of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) talks to Professor Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, who is one of the world's leading experts on economic aspects of climate change.

CO2-neutral trucks are currently considerably more expensive than conventional vehicles. Therefore, a political framework is needed to ensure both demand and economy. Martin Daum and Professor Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer discuss a taxation system based on CO2 levels – in addition to incentives for CO2-neutral technology. For Edenhofer, however, an emissions trading system is the essential lever for reducing greenhouse gases.

"Economic players need planning certainty. That is why the EU should introduce a transparent, stable minimum price path as part of its emissions trading system. As there are strong constitutional objections against taxing CO2 at an EU level, for me there is no alternative: we have to commit to emissions trading if we want to be climate-neutral by 2050," says Professor Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer.

Martin Daum adds: "Our customers make rational purchase decisions. On the one hand they don't want to compromise when it comes to suitability for everyday use, tonnage and the range of their trucks – but on the other hand the same applies to costs too. Now it's a case of creating the right framework and conditions so as to make CO2-neutral, fully electric vehicles competitive – in other words, the best choice for our customers."

About the podcast of Daimler Trucks & Buses

Transportation Matters is the first CEO Podcast of the transportation industry. Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck AG, speaks with international guests on topics ranging from the future of transport to sustainability and all the way to leadership knowledge. Following the successful first and second season, the third season started with new and interesting guests stared in May this year. This is the second episode of the third season.

Transportation Matters and the latest episode with Prof. Dr. Ottmar Edenhofer can be accessed and subscribed to at:

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