Going-Electric and AVERE comments regarding the Competitiveness of the European car industry

Brussels, 21 May 2010 – Going-Electric and AVERE have issued today a written contribution regarding the public consultation of the DG - Enterprise and Industry about the Europe competitiveness of the car industry.

Abstract

Going-Electric, the European Association for Battery Electric Vehicles, and AVERE, the European Association for Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Road Vehicles, strongly believe that in the medium future, the car market will become fully electric. Preparing for this future requires heavy investments from car manufacturers and public authorities. Therefore, all available resources should be exclusively focussed on developing electric car technologies and markets in order to ensure the future competitiveness of the European automotive industry.

Comments

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are undoubtedly by far the cleanest and most energy-efficient road vehicles. Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) technologies are ready to penetrate the car markets. They have the potential of covering all market segments. This would bring far more benefits than improving Internal Combustion Vehicles (ICVs) and imposing biofuels. EVs are likely to rapidly spread in the coming years, especially if they receive adequate support from public authorities.

Other countries such as China and the USA are heavily investing in EV technologies. The car industry is going to live, on a global scale, its greatest evolution since cars were invented. Europe has to be part of this change in order to ensure the competitiveness of its automotive industry in the future.

This is however only possible with heavy investments, by automotive companies who will have to develop new skills, build new production plants and adapt their distribution networks, as well as by public authorities who will have to provide initial incentives to EV manufacturers and buyers.

Therefore, European Policies should make it possible for European car companies to devote all their resources to their conversion to electric technologies. European Institutions should release the pressure for cleaner combustion engines, since it detracts automotive industry resources from preparing for the electric future.

Read the full contribution (pdf - 350KB)