The transportation network company Uberis now also involved in electromobility and logistics. Roland Werner, Director Government Affairs & Policy DACH & CEE, will speak at Hypermotion in November – and takes part in an interview here

In Germany, Uber and its transportation network company currently have a presence in six major cities. What are your future plans for Germany?
 

We’re pleased to now be able to offer Uber in Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf and Hamburg following our success in Berlin and Munich. We are seeing high demand for shared mobility and we’re working together with our partners to improve availability in outlying districts as well. In this way, we can create a reliable network of alternatives to single journeys in private cars that work in tandem with local public transport. At the same time, we’re focusing on sustainable mobility and, with UberGreen, enabling zero-emission journeys in our partners’ fully electric vehicles.

What services do you offer with Uber Freight and what hopes have you got for this offer?

The logistics industry is the backbone of the European economy and a sector that Uber’s digital brokering technology can really advance. Uber Freight connects transport companies with freight loads. Uber Freight enables transporters to better utilise their capacities. At the same time, we make it easier for shippers to access available capacities and provide them with real-time insight into the supply chain. Up to now, 21 per cent of all freight kilometres travelled have been empty runs. Uber Freight increases efficiency. 

‘We want to be the central contact point for shared electromobility’, says Uber mobility researcher Andrew Salzberg at a press conference. What does this mean in concrete terms?

The Uber app already provides various electromobility services. With Uber Green, you can order a ride in a fully electric rental car with a driver from a licensed partner. With JUMP, we offer high-quality electric bicycles as a flexible and emissions-free alternative for shorter distances. Both options are a sustainable complement to public transport. We want to expand these electric services by integrating various mobility services into the app, thereby making it easier for users to choose an appropriate alternative. 

In which area of the new mobility do you see the greatest business potential?

We see the greatest potential in the megatrend away from driving our own cars towards using a network of shared mobility. In this respect, we focus on sustainable mobility in cooperation with public transport and other partners. After all, no provider can revolutionise mobility on its own. Only an attractive network of different alternatives will enable people to do without their car. This will then benefit the entire network of alternative providers. The example of Denver shows how public transport and Uber can complement each other with the integration of public transport routes and tickets into the Uber app. 

A question for you as a private user: what do you associate with the term “new mobility” and which aspect of digitally driven traffic in major cities appeals most to you personally?

I see the future of mobility in a seamlessly integrated mix of usable alternatives to private cars that are as emissions-free as possible. Using them in everyday life must be easy, reliable and affordable. This requires a holistic approach and intelligently networked solutions. We need courage to take advantage of technological progress. It also involves changing our mindset.

Roland Werner

Roland Werner has worked for Uber since 2016. As Director Government Affairs & Policy, he is responsible for political communications in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe. 

At Hypermotion 

Roland Werner will speak on 28/11/19 at the smc:smart mobility conference, the future forum for concepts, solutions, products and knowledge transfer for sustainable urban mobility .