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Last week, various very important European car manufacturers met to discuss the green transition, the electric market. The reason for this meeting was a meeting of the President of the European Council, in which he spoke on the subject of competitiveness. Now the market-leading car manufacturers also want to discuss this, perhaps even more quickly than Mr. Lindner thought. Because this is about the world's most ambitious CO2 reduction targets for cars. The meeting brought together some very important personalities. This indicates that they not only want to stand for the diversity and importance of the automotive industry, but are also interested in finding innovative and sustainable solutions for road traffic. The very strong global competition is problematic. In particular, this involves critical resources, financing, customers and, above all, rising business costs. In addition, the geopolitical landscape is constantly changing and the electric car market is still very uncertain. The car manufacturers are extremely willing to do something and want to invest, but this is not possible without state aid, so they are appealing to the EU to create better conditions for competitiveness and market demand for e-cars. As Luca De Meo, CEO of the Renault Group and President of ACEA, says, a unified industrial strategy is needed to achieve progress. The suppliers also have important words to say. Framework conditions should be created that safeguard investments in innovative technologies and the transformation of plants and our workforce. There are calls for the regulatory framework to remain ambitious yet flexible.

There is also a consensus that both European truck and bus manufacturers and automotive suppliers see an urgent need to put zero-emission trucks and buses on the road. The industry has set itself the target date of 2040. The focus should be on battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. However, combustion engines are not completely excluded. They are expected to play a major role in achieving climate targets, particularly in heavy goods traffic. However, the corresponding environment, the infrastructure, remains critical. A dense network of charging and refueling stations suitable for trucks is required, as well as a supportive CO₂ price framework that ensures cost parity for zero-emission cars. Here, too, they are appealing to Europe's decision-makers.

All in all, it is clear that automotive manufacturers and suppliers are willing to do something for decarbonization and are particularly keen to get involved. However, they are also dependent on government investment.

This is exactly what Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath had to say. He expressed his indignation and disappointment at the current back and forth in automotive policy. In particular, he is extremely critical of the possible reversal of the ban on combustion engines. According to him, this would be the last way to tackle the climate problems, which are getting bigger and bigger. That is not the way forward for sustainable mobility. As previously written, he also states that there is a need for a reliable and sensible automotive policy, in particular electromobility. It would be pointless to protect the old technology, combustion engines, from change. Instead, America's approach should be taken as an example.

 

Source: Pixabay/electric-mobility-4158595_1280