Julia Hildermeier joined RAP’s Europe team as an electro-mobility and transport expert to explore the benefits of integrating electrified transport in a smarter and decarbonized power market. In addition to providing research and policy analysis, she leads RAP’s electric transportation program for RAP’s EU department including strategic planning and outreach in Brussels and beyond.
Before coming to RAP in 2018, Hildermeier worked for the European Federation for Transport & Environment, advocating for a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable transport system. As clean vehicles and e-mobility officer, she conducted policy research and managed internal and external research projects, co-created and implemented the organization’s advocacy strategy on electro-mobility, and advised decision-makers at the EU level as well as in key Member States. This included expanding stakeholder coalitions and networks, such as the European Platform for Electro-Mobility.
Julia Hildermeier holds a doctorate in sociology from Humboldt University Berlin and Ecole Normale Superieure Cachan in Paris. Her academic work included identifying the path-rupture potential of environmental regulation in the European automotive and transport sector. Previously, while earning a master’s degree in social sciences and serving as a research assistant in an EU-funded project at Berlin’s Center for Social Sciences, she compared the innovation potential of electric vehicle battery politics in Germany and France.
Hildermeier publishes and reviews papers in scientific journals on mobility and climate topics. A native German speaker, Julia is also fluent in English and French.
How Julia Hildermeier is Energizing Change
Savings from smart charging electric cars and trucks in Europe: A case study for France in 2040
Smart charging optimizes electrical vehicle charging by adjusting timing and power based on price signals reflecting for… Read More +
Optimising electric heavy-duty truck charging in India
Part of RAP and ICCT’s Benefits of EVs Through Smart Charging Global Project With economic forces and… Read More +
How did you catch the “energy” bug?
Reading RAP’s newsletter! I was intrigued by an early RAP paper showing that EVs are a “treasure hiding in plain sight”, as with smart charging they can use existing power grids much better and help absorb renewables. As a sustainable transport and e-mobility expert, I realized that there’s a need to work across sectors to help use the potential EVs have as grid resources, but also make electric transportation cleaner and more accessible overall.
What is something that makes you feel hopeful about the future?
Europe’s recent energy crisis is a huge opportunity to build back better. The need to save energy and to advance the clean energy transition is now at the forefront of people’s minds. Accessible, zero-emission transport is an essential part of the transition. With my work I’m hoping to contribute to a greener future of Europe and the world.
As a working parent, I'm training to be a superhero every day!