“The number one means of transport in rural areas is still the car,” says Neckarsulm plant manager Fred Schulze. “Car sharing has not yet caught on here, unlike in the metropolitan areas. Together with Mobile Inclusive, we want to change that and, as one of the largest employers in the region, make a contribution to improving the local traffic situation.”
The cooperation between partners from the automotive industry and regional institutions is planning a holistic offer to promote future mobility in rural areas. Solutions for charging infrastructure and booking systems are also taken into account. At the same time, all age structures from the participating municipalities should be offered maximum mobility. “AUDI AG wants to provide its customers with sensible and sustainable mobility alternatives – and not just in big cities,” says Martin Wallenborn, Head of Business Development Sales Germany. This includes a system offering of mobility services such as car-sharing, offers such as the citizen bus, charging solutions or a platform for booking and processing mobility offers.
Booking app and charging infrastructure from the Volkswagen Group
The newly founded company is designed as an inclusive company and helps people with disabilities to find their way into permanent employment. Other project facilities from the region include the Heilbronn Life Workshop and Arbeits- und Wohnstätten GmbH Therapeutikum. Together with its partners, Audi assumes social responsibility and, as one of the largest employers in the region, promotes the participation of people with disabilities. The four rings want to help create a professional environment in which everyone feels safe, accepted and valuable.
Another cooperation partner for the project is SEAT:Code, which developed the booking app. The test phase runs until September 18, 2023, after which users should be able to book the vehicles via the app. The same app is already being used on the Greek island of Astypalea. There, the Volkswagen Group is testing smart, sustainable mobility in a real laboratory. With Elli, the Volkswagen Group’s electricity and charging brand, it is possible to set up an additional charging infrastructure.
Four communities are among the starter communities: Wüstenrot, Obersulm, Mainhardt and Löwenstein. “Being a starter municipality means receiving cost-effective landing infrastructure planning and being represented on the company’s advisory board,” says Jürgen Birkert, one of the two managing directors of the newly founded Mobile Inclusive gGmbH. After the test phase, the offer is to be rolled out with three different tariff models – and the number of participating municipalities is growing.
Source – Audi
