At the International Motor Show IAA Mobility on Tuesday, corporate bosses demanded more political support for the change to climate-neutral transport.

Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess said in Munich that there would be no CO2-free mobility without enough green electricity.

The switch must go faster: "A lot more can be done against climate change."

In the afternoon, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) wants to officially open the IAA.

The most active climbers had roped off motorway bridges around Munich in the morning and temporarily stopped traffic to protest against the IAA and the car industry.

Electrification as the main route

In the fight against global warming, Diess called for a faster switch to renewable energies.

“The prerequisite for decarbonising the transport sector is the availability of green electricity from the sun and wind,” he said.

Germany is currently taxing every metric ton of CO2 at 25 euros, from 2025 at 55 euros.

“Decarbonization will make many things cheaper and not more expensive,” said Diess, speaking of falling operating costs for e-cars.

With more than ten million cars sold per year, as a truck builder and largest manufacturer of marine diesel engines, VW wants to reduce its CO2 emissions quickly, Diess continues - especially with e-cars. The transport sector causes 16 percent of all CO2 emissions. By 2030, VW wants to reduce the CO2 emissions of its cars by 30 percent, from raw materials through production to the end of use. Environmental organizations criticize VW not canceling internal combustion engines fast enough.

Daimler boss Ola Kälennius said electrification was the main route, but the construction of charging stations had to keep up. In addition, the energy for electricity and synthetic fuels must come from renewable sources in order to achieve the climate targets. Meanwhile, Bosch boss Stefan Hartung said: “It's a gigantic transformation.” The conversion will be painful for many people, for this and the next generation. But he is optimistic.

Lufthansa boss Carsten Spohr explained that air traffic causes almost 3 percent of global CO2 emissions.

But electrification will not work for commercial aircraft, "the laws of physics are against it".

With synthetic fuels it is now technically possible to fly CO2-neutrally, but that is very expensive: a flight to the USA, for example, would then cost each passenger an additional 500 euros.

Spohr also warned the EU against using climate regulations to put European companies at a disadvantage compared to their global competitors.

Environmental activists protested on the highways around Munich on Tuesday morning, rappelled down from bridges and pasted over signs.

The lanes were temporarily closed.

They unfurled banners on the A8, A92, A94 and A96.

The Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) criticized the actions. The IAA shows the way to climate-neutral mobility, "and we are also discussing with those who disagree," said VDA President Hildegard Müller. “Our offer for dialogue is in place. We reject violence and coercion. "For the first time, more than 70 bicycle manufacturers will be represented at the IAA. Visitors all over Munich can try out cargo bikes, autonomous vehicles and other innovations for themselves.