Transportation infrastructure is well-developed and technologically advanced. All modes of transport are utilized in the economic web---road, rail, water and air. Over 13,000 kilometers of the world’s oldest motorway system has been built, high-speed rail connects Germany’s major cities and the Port of Hamburg is the third largest sea-harbor in Europe. Among the many international airports in Germany, Frankfurt is one of Europe’s busiest air travel hubs. The importance of Germany in terms of the transportation industry is in part due to its central location; however, there are many prominent companies who shape this scene. Deutsche Post DHL group, based in Bonn, is among the world’s leading courier services. Germany leads Europe in new passenger car sales and is home to several of the most well-known vehicle manufacturers, including Volkswagen AG.
German transportation is very mixed in its reliance on fossil fuels; around half of all its network rail is electrified and only around one percent of new passenger car sales run on electricity (roughly the same as the EU average). Although electricity is mostly produced from fossil fuels, the share of renewable energy generation in the country is growing. The country’s aim to significantly reduce carbon emissions by 2030 will pose a challenge to the transport industry. One of the key issues is the deployment of recharging infrastructure.
