Before the e-Nova mobility fair begins: “There are so many myths about electromobility”

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Next Friday, June 30, the first edition of the adventure fair E-Nova Mobility Experience will launch in Europaallee Zurich. Until Sunday, July 2, exhibitors large and small will showcase mobility innovations, from new e-bikes and digital sharing services to fully-fledged electric cars.

But: It looks like electromobility has arrived in Switzerland, right? When it comes to new cars, Stromer sales are growing unabated – every seventh car sold is all-electric. When it comes to bike sales, e-bikes have long accounted for half the number of units. So why do we still need a trade fair for electromobility? Blick asks trade show organizer Fabienne Kleiner (36).

Blick: Sales of e-cars, e-bikes, e-scooters and e-tuff are on the rise, electromobility seems to have arrived in Switzerland. Why another trade fair like E-Nova?
Fabienne Kleiner: Besides health, mobility is an issue that affects everyone in their daily personal lives, no matter how they travel. The e-Nova Mobility Experience is necessary because so many myths still abound about electromobility. Only when you test and experience future mobility can you break down your own inhibitions and become more open. We would like to invite you to an open discussion on which mobility method is right for the respective needs.

What barriers still exist when it comes to transforming mobility?
In a nutshell: mostly ignorance. This has been confirmed by a study by the LINK Research Institute. In financial terms, there are many myths surrounding the value of electric cars relative to the range they offer. Switzerland has a home ownership rate of less than 40% – many tenants complain that landlords don’t want to charge their homes. But from 2025, with new types of batteries to be used in some passenger car models, the range will increase by 40 percent and the dependency on home charging stations will decrease. And lastly, ideology also hinders: it feeds fear of power outages, and fear of rationing, loss of personal freedom and flexibility in the event of a power outage.

The fair is held at Europaplatz: It was difficult to get permission to take?
We are pleased that our application was quickly approved and approved by all departments of the city administration. We are in direct contact with the city at other levels with the Zurich Transport Authority (VBZ) as an expert and media partner from Zurich City Electricity Works (EWZ) during the plenary session on our opening evening. For the upcoming editions, we wish you even stronger dealings with the city government. There is great potential for synergy, especially in Zurich.

Are there any role models for such a trade show?
A similar format is the TCS eMobility Days, which tour regionally. Internationally, the Next Mobility Fair in Milan and Wiener Elektrotage follow a similar concept. In the USA, Electrify Expo is a series of events that take place in seven states. We were also with the organizing team at Micromobility Europe three weeks ago in Amsterdam, where we got to know and, of course, tested interesting mobility tools. We will be able to host one or two participants at the second E-Nova Mobility Experience next year.

Post-pandemic trade fairs are in crisis: what response do you expect?
Europaplatz, near Zurich’s main train station, is one of Switzerland’s busiest squares – expect a big response. Especially since the E-Nova is not a classic trade fair, but an outdoor experience in the middle of the city. Admission is free and you don’t have to visit a moldy showroom. We bring the trade show to the people, not the other way around.

How did you choose the participants?
We wanted to make the diversity of future mobility accessible in all its aspects. We’ve largely achieved this with a balanced mix of startups, new brands, and strong, established brands, from microcars to e-scooters and e-bikes to cars. In fact, Volvo is showcasing the new EX30 for the first time in Switzerland at the E-Nova. Unfortunately, we also had to cancel some exhibitors due to the space and variety of exhibitors available. What I personally still miss this year is the participants from the maritime and aviation industries. But that may still be the case in the next edition in 2024.

Car importers, for example, offer on-site test drives. How do you intend to deal with the rush?
By planning: Interested parties can reserve time slots in advance. They can also be self-reserved at www.e-nova.ch or at the festival center at the Blick-Café. If you can’t find a place anymore, you can book a test drive directly from the dealer. Participants on the site will be happy to provide information.

How deep does the e-Nova offer go?
At E-Nova we try to show the range of individual mobility solutions in 360 degrees. Not only manufacturers and importers of e-scooters, e-bikes, micro-cars, cargo bikes, e-cars and e-bikes are represented, but also solution providers such as Swisscharge, Upto, Flatdrive and Portato. Swiss Traffic Club (VCS) and Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) are also showing their vision. Particularly exciting will be the Axa Switzerland pavilion, which offers informative video content on all topics related to electromobility and sustainability, and the Autoscout24 exam with something to gain.

How do you travel yourself?
Multimodal describes this very well. I make my decisions flexibly based on situation, distance, time pressure and weather, and whether I travel with kits, luggage and lots of luggage. So I use my own car, bike, a rented e-bike or public transport, depending on the situation. I also like to walk for my health.

What’s next after the e-Nova premiere?
We are already mentally planning the second edition next year. The aim is to establish E-Nova as a hub for future mobility. The discourse on future mobility should be encouraged with the participation of all stakeholders from business, society and politics. Networking within the industry is also important to us.

Source: Blick