1. Tell us something about this institution or company. What does it deal with, what are its values, how many employees do you have, etc.?
The University of the North (UNIN) was founded in 2014 by the merger of two higher education institutions which made him the youngest Croatian public university. From the very beginning, the University strives to develop STEM areas by opening programs such as Logistics, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, etc. UNIN is located in two university centers, Korivnica and Varaždin.
The mission of the University North is to educate competent professional staff for the needs of the real economy in the region of northwestern Croatia through the quality of professional and graduate studies according to the requirements of the Bologna Declaration. In pursuit of this goal, University North is establishing itself as a dynamic organization that constantly monitors, applies and integrates scientific and professional knowledge in updating existing and developing new study programs, promotes the concept of lifelong education, and deepens and maintains links with the economy and cooperation with related higher education institutions in the country. and abroad.
Today, more than 3,500 students study at the University, and the University has more than 270 associates in the teaching and scientific process.
2. Why did your company decide to get involved in the E-MOB project?
As UNIN has a Logistics and Mobility study program, one of its areas of expertise is electromobility and sustainability. Besides, the graduate study on Sustainable Mobility and Logistics focuses on the development of sustainable solutions in urban mobility, which also include solutions such as electromobility. To further expand its capacities and knowledge, the Logistics and Mobility Department is participating not only in the E-MOB project but also in the Low - Carb project. Through participation and involvement in such projects, UNIN is trying to create
3. Have you participated in any project related to the electromobility in the past?
a) Low – Carb – creating of competence center
b) Take a brake – promoting safety of children in traffic
4. What are your expectations from the E-MOB project?
Promoting electromobility as well as raising awareness of the importance of substitution for fossil-powered electric vehicles.
5. What is the situation in your country with the topic of the electromobility?
Some cities, such as Koprivnica, are largely oriented towards the development of electromobility. In addition, through the assistance of the European Funds, a large number of cities have started to build charging stations as well as to develop an awareness of the importance of electric vehicles
6. What challenges do you face with the development of electromobility in your country?
The fundamental challenge is the legislation, followed by the lack of charging stations. In addition, social awareness of the need to develop electromobility also requires change.
7. According to you, what is the biggest challenge in developing electromobility? Is it batteries for vehicles, disposal of used batteries, lack of resources for battery production?
The fundamental challenge is to secure all the resources needed to produce electric batteries and to find ways to safely dispose of them. Furthermore, one of the challenges is the limited number of miles that an electric vehicle can travel before recharging the battery.
8. Do you think society is ready to use electric vehicles?
It may not be right now, but it will come about through the popularization of electromobility and increasing the availability of charging stations for electric vehicles or encouraging the purchase of electric vehicles
9. Do you think that fossil fuel vehicles will be replaced by electric vehicles in the future?
Given the trends and growing popularity, it probably will.
10. Mobility has been reduced in many countries due to the COVID - 19. What is the situation in your country? How do you fight the COVID - 19 virus?
COVID - 19 has greatly reduced mobility in Croatia due to measures aimed at reducing the number of infected persons. The cup measures were effective. However, public urban transport, intercity transport as well as almost all air services have been interrupted. At the moment everything is starting to return to normal.
11. What is your vision of the city in the future in terms of the use of electric vehicles in urban mobility?
In the future, definitely all fossil fuel buses will be replaced by electric buses. Also worth mentioning is the possibility of using electric bicycles, which can also significantly affect mobility.
