The production of electric models will triple by 2021 and will create 120,000 new jobs

The manufacture of electric vehicle models will triple in the next three years, according to a study by the European Federation of NGOs Transport & Environment, which indicates that this sector will generate 120,000 new direct and indirect jobs.

The T&E report specifies that European manufacturers in the automotive sector will make available to consumers up to a total of 214 more models of electric vehicles compared to the 60 available in 2018.

The data is part of the T&E study that is based on data from the IHS Markit industry that states that the sector is prepared to “embrace the electrification of the sector”. However, he adds that it is the governments that must guarantee and promote this electrification with adequate tax incentives and sufficient charging infrastructures to move away from fossil fuel vehicles.

In addition, the study adds that by 2021 90 all-electric models and 118 plug-in hybrids will be incorporated into the market. Among the causes is the fact that with these models the manufacturers themselves will be able to meet the carbon dioxide (_CO2) target established for the EU that involves reaching cars with 95 grams of _CO2 emissions for each kilometer traveled.

In that sense, Ecodes, which is part of T&E points out that if the forecasts are met, in 2025 22% of all vehicles that are manufactured will be able to be plug-in, this is more than enough to meet the _CO2 standard established by the EU for that year.

GAS WILL ONLY ACCOUNT FOR 1% OF EUROPEAN PRODUCTION

In the same vein and, in the opposite direction, the study states that the production plans of other alternative systems are “practically non-existent”, since “only” it is expected to manufacture 9,000 fuel cell vehicles by 2025, compared to 4 million electric cars. In addition, it estimates that the production of compressed gas vehicles will be reduced and will not reach 1% of the European production planned for mid-2020.

From Transport and Environment, Isabell Buschell is confident that thanks to _CO2 standards, Europe will see a “wave of more affordable and available electric cars” on the market. However, it calls for support from governments for the domestic charging of electric vehicles, in homes and workplaces, as well as tax reforms to make electric vehicles “more attractive” than polluting cars such as diesel or “inefficient plug-in hybrids”.

Currently, according to the study, production forecasts point to a trend to replace internal combustion cars with electric ones, with most of the factories established in Western Europe (Germany, France, Spain and Italy).

However, the largest number of electric vehicles manufactured per person will occur in Slovakia, while the Czech Republic and Hungary will also have relevant production centers, according to the report.

For its part, with respect to the United Kingdom, T&E maintains greater uncertainty since its forecasts could vary due to a possible no-deal Brexit.

There are currently 16 large-scale lithium-ion battery plants guaranteed in Europe by 2023. With these plans, T&E is confident that 131 GWh of battery capacity should be produced which, according to benchmark Mineral Intelligence data, is enough to cover the 130 GWh estimated to be needed for electric vehicles and stationary storage batteries in Europe by 2023.

120,000 JOBS

For its part, data from the Joint Research Centre of the European Union (EU) anticipate that the manufacture of batteries on a large scale will generate 120,000 jobs both direct and indirect.

In any case, both the T&E report and Ecodes (which is part of the NGO federation) warn of the importance of ensuring that batteries sold in the EU have a low carbon footprint, that they are reusable and that they come from ethical sources that respect human and environmental rights.

From Ecodes, Míriam Zaitegui considers that this is a “key moment” for the automotive industry in Europe and for Spain, “where this industry is so relevant”.

“European manufacturers are finally making significant investments for the electrification of the car with up to 145 billion euros earmarked for it. It is important that our government sends the right signals to manufacturers, making it clear that the era of diesel and petrol is over. Only in this way will it be possible to take advantage of the opportunities that come with new forms of mobility, such as job creation,” he added.

According to the report ‘Refueling towards the future’, by Transport and Environment and Ecodes, the electric vehicle will be able to generate 23,000 jobs by 2030, a figure that coincides with that pointed out last week by the acting Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera.

IN LINE WITH MITECO’S PLANS

In this context, the government’s draft Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition plans to give a period of 27 months to small gas stations, six months longer than to large service stations, to install electric recharging points of at least 50 kw, once the rule that establishes that these recharging points will be mandatory from the first day is approved both in new service stations and in newly built buildings.

In a draft of the bill to which Europa Press had access, the objective of achieving a mobile fleet without _CO2 emissions from 2050 is maintained and invites the creation of low-emission zones in municipalities of more than 50,000 inhabitants.

Among the main modifications included in this draft law with respect to the one initially announced is the creation by the Government of an information platform on recharging points to guarantee the existence of these in the areas of greatest demand.

The text specifies the previous draft on the obligations of gas stations to install recharging infrastructures that previously had to have a power equal to or greater than 22 kw compared to the 50 kw of the new proposal, more than double. He also adds that the objective is no longer that the recharge is fast or semi-fast, but that it is limited to being “fast”.

In this line, to achieve _CO2-free mobility by 2050 at the latest, not only will service stations be mandatory, but the Technical Building Code must establish obligations related to the installation of recharging points in new buildings and in interventions of existing buildings.

Source: Europe Press