13th International Engine Congress 2026
24-02-2026 – 25-02-2026 – Baden-Baden, GER or via live stream
The Green Deal targets for the European automotive industry have now been modified, at least in part. This will enable a fresh start to be made with regard to the framework conditions and a reassessment of suitable measures for climate protection. It has become clear in the meantime that the climate targets can clearly not be achieved without including combustion engines that use non-fossil fuels. It is absolutely necessary that these are taken into account in the overall calculations and that we move away from assessing tailpipe emissions alone. Political framework conditions must be based on market reality and the feasibility of new and improved technologies. Openness towards different technologies as well as technological diversity and competition must be promoted in order to ensure innovation and planning security. Furthermore, markets develop extremely heterogeneously. Consequently, industry must be guided by global, not primarily regional, requirements if it is to be successful. The EU must take this into account if its economies are to prosper.
A comprehensive ecological and economic assessment of all sectors, raw material chains, and value creation structures that are involved (cradle-to-cradle, circular economy) must be initiated in the short term. In concrete terms, this means: What impact will the political conditions have on technological progress and the future product portfolio in Europe, Asia, India, or America – also in the context of limited economic resources? And what will that mean for the further development of powertrain technology?
We must achieve a better balance between the overall profitability of companies and environmental aspects if we want to secure jobs and opportunities for training. Suitable transition scenarios, and ones which also include the existing vehicle fleets, are necessary if we are to be successful in the future.
The International Engine Congress is unique in its form and focuses on the global technological development of combustion engines for passenger cars and commercial vehicles in combination with non-fossil fuels. It brings together leading representatives from politics, the automotive and petroleum industries, associations, and science, and is an ideal forum for dialogue and knowledge exchange.
This Call for Papers provides information on the main subjects addressed at the congress as well as details on submitting a paper. We look forward to your proposals and to further discussions with you.
After the conference, your paper will be published as part of the conference proceedings at Springer Vieweg and on the online platforms Springer Link and Springer Professional.
Dr. Alexander Heintzel
Scientific Director of the Congress (ad interim)
Editor-in-Chief ATZ | MTZ Group
Your paper can be submitted in the following forms:
A lecture presentation:
If your paper is accepted, you will have the opportunity to speak for 20 minutes in front of the congress audience followed by additional 10 minutes to discuss your presentation with the participants.
A poster presentation (possible only as a research institute):
Your poster will be displayed in the exhibition area. The congress participants will have the opportunity to discuss your poster with you during the breaks.
Please submit your abstract (max. 1 DIN A4 page) by 6 June 2025.
You can register your proposal here
Should you have questions on the submission procedure of the abstract via the online portal, please contact Verena Feger: feger(at)vdi.de
Project managers:
ATZlive
Michaela Kues
Program Director Events
Phone +49 611 7878-274
michaela.kues(at)springernature.com
VDI Wissensforum GmbH
Verena Feger
Event Management
Phone +49 211 6214-244
feger(at)vdi.de
The Program Advisory Boards for the congress will decide on the acceptance of the paper based on the abstract.
You should therefore highlight the essential technical content and its level of innovation. The authors of the papers or poster presentations that have been accepted commit to submit a 1-page summary and a manuscript comprising 12-15 pages for the congress documentation by the closing date mentioned and to present the paper in person. If a speaker is unable to attend, a substitute must be named. The congress documentation will be made available in the download area of our websites and in the digital event platform from the beginning of the event. After the congress, your paper will be published as part of the congress proceedings at Springer Vieweg and on the online platforms Springer Link and Springer Professional.
One presenting author per lecture may participate free of charge in the congress. Travel costs will not be reimbursed.
Dr. Alexander Heintzel (ad interim)
Editor-in-Chief ATZ | MTZ Group
Three program advisory boards made up of outstanding personalities from each of the fields involved support our congress in terms of planning and finding topics.
