RAI Automotive Director: 'Time for autonomous driving programs'
In the series People of Holland High Tech, you will get to know the people behind Holland High Tech.
Published on April 24, 2025
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Quantum, sustainable mobility. High tech is playing an increasingly important role in our daily lives. Today we are interviewing Pim Grol. He is the director of RAI Automotive Industry NL, the organization that represents the interests of the Dutch automotive industry. He is also a program council member of the Sustainable Mobility innovation domain at Holland High Tech. According to Grol, it is high time that we create test tracks for autonomous transport in the Netherlands.
Holland High Tech
This story is a collaboration with Holland High Tech: the top sector for high-tech systems and materials. In this ecosystem, companies, knowledge institutions, and governments work together on groundbreaking innovations. Teams of experts within the organization develop (key) technologies in 10 innovation domains that offer structural solutions to the major challenges we currently face. The high-tech sector plays a crucial role in the urgent transitions required to achieve this: the energy transition, the development of a circular economy, our security and autonomy, and the further development of digitization (including smart industry) and key technologies.
How would you describe yourself in one word?
“If I had to choose one, I would go for 'connector'. That connecting role also comes to the fore in my working life. In my day-to-day work, I deal with a wide range of interests within the automotive industry — from chip developers such as NXP to truck manufacturers such as DAF. Everyone has their own perspective and interests. As a connector, I make sure that everyone is heard."
Can you also tell us something about your role as a program council member for the Sustainable Mobility innovation domain?
“As a program council member, I am not only involved in the automotive industry, but also in the aerospace sector. What I like about this is that we can learn a lot from each other and strengthen each other. The knowledge that the aerospace sector has, for example about lightweight and sustainable materials, can be applied in the automotive sector."
What exciting things are happening in the automotive sector?
“Major steps are currently being taken in the field of materials. Whereas in the past, sheet steel was mainly used, we later saw the emergence of aluminum. Now carbon has also made its appearance, which is not only extremely strong, but also much lighter and therefore more efficient and sustainable than steel or aluminum.
A lot of progress is also being made in the field of autonomous transport. More and more people are already able to use it in their cars. However, it will certainly be a number of years before we really reach the point where vehicles can drive autonomously on public roads. It is time that we create test tracks in the Netherlands. We cannot continue to do everything on closed sites or in simulations. Countries around us, such as Germany and France, are already taking steps in this direction. These countries already have routes on public roads—under strict conditions, of course. As a trade association, we are in constant dialogue with the government.
Concrete plans are also being made. In the European Commission's Action Plan, for example, you can see that a lot of money is being made available for this.
What are we good at in the Netherlands when it comes to automotive?
“One in three large trucks in Europe is produced in the Netherlands. This sector is therefore of great value to our industry. The Netherlands also makes a major contribution to the electrification of trucks."
What challenges do we face with regard to electric trucks?
“Manufacturers such as DAF can build attractive electric trucks, but the numbers are still limited: of the tens of thousands we will need in Europe in 2035, there are currently fewer than 1,500 on the road. The parties involved are facing challenges. Logistics companies want to switch, but are encountering infrastructure problems. Think, for example, of an overloaded power grid. Nevertheless, it is important that more fast-charging stations are installed along important transport corridors, such as the A2. It is crucial that governments support this."
Do you have a message for our readers?
“I would like to draw attention to the new generation. Specifically, the important role that start-ups play in the sector. There are many new things happening in the automotive industry. Together, we can achieve a great deal.”
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