Patrick Seidl, Chief Commercial Officer of Voith HySTech

Can you briefly introduce yourself, your position, and your company? 

Voith HySTech (Voith Hydrogen Storage Technologies) is a young and dynamic unit within the Voith technology group. With a highly motivated team of top-notch experts and many innovative ideas, Voith HySTech is at the forefront of innovation in the global hydrogen storage system market. As Chief Commercial Officer, my team and I focus primarily on our customers’ needs and projects, such as strategic product management, partnerships, and the sales of our solutions.

Patrick Seidl
Chief Commercial Officer of Voith HySTech

What does the IAA TRANSPORTATION slogan “People and Goods On The Move” mean to you?

For me, "People and Goods On The Move" represents a world in transition. Unfortunately, change often carries a negative connotation in Germany, but I advocate for the idea that every change brings opportunity, and that change itself is initially neutral. Rarely in history have we had so many opportunities to actively shape mobility around us, making it an incredibly exciting and fulfilling task.

What are your expectations for IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024?

I'm looking forward to a burst of innovations for the emerging zero-emission mobility sector. I believe the transformation of mobility has finally reached the commercial vehicle sector, and we're seeing exciting new developments both on a technical level and in terms of future business models.

What topic will you be presenting at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024?

At Voith HySTech, we see a great opportunity in hydrogen technology to sustainably decarbonize the commercial vehicle industry without having to compromise too much on usage. We're focusing on complete hydrogen storage systems, which are a key element for future hydrogen mobility.

What crucial topic of the future gets too little attention from the public in your opinion?

In my view, we don't talk enough about supply chains for our (green) energy in public discussions. The dependency on natural gas has clearly shown how important it is to build a crisis-resistant and reliable energy supply chain that also provides affordable energy. There are some strong projects in this area, such as the partnership with Morocco for importing green hydrogen.

In which area of the transport and logistics sector do you see the greatest potential and where do you see the most room for improvement?

When you look at the absolute numbers in terms of CO2 emissions, it’s clear that the greatest potential lies in the heavy long-haul truck sector. At the same time, this segment is one of the most challenging when it comes to finding alternative solutions. That’s why I believe it also has the greatest need for improvement, especially when compared to smaller, lighter vehicles.

IAA TRANSPORTATION is the leading global platform for commercial vehicles, transport, and logistics. It brings together innovators from all areas of mobility. Who do you want to network with this September and why?

In addition to connecting with our customers, suppliers, and strategic partners, I’m particularly focused on networking across regions. I believe the decarbonization of the commercial vehicle industry can only succeed if we combine the innovations and ideas from regions ranging from East Asia to America, to get the hydrogen ecosystem up and running globally.

The shift in the transport and logistics sector towards sustainable solutions is significant. What is your vision for the sector in 20 years?

I’m convinced that over the next 20 years, the transportation and logistics sector will fundamentally realign itself, and we’ll see a variety of use-case-optimized and complementary solutions on the market. Specifically, in terms of infrastructure, today’s small clusters and insufficient coverage of charging stations and hydrogen refueling points will evolve into comprehensive networks that enable a growing and emission-free future for commercial vehicle mobility.

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