Electric vehicles
EU invests €350m in first domestic battery gigafactory
The European Investment Bank issued a €350 million loan on Thursday (30 July) to a Swedish company that hopes to corner a significant share of the global battery market by building the greenest power packs available.
UK’s next-gen warplane could tap battery power
BAE Systems, the defence company behind the British air force’s new fighter jet, has teased the prospect of electric-battery systems playing a substantial role in powering the RAF’s next-generation Tempest warplane, due to enter service in the 2030s.
BMW agrees €2bn battery contract with Swedish firm
German carmaker BMW signed a battery-supply contract worth €2 billion with Swedish manufacturer Northvolt this week, in the latest example of Europe’s big auto firms preparing to ramp up electric vehicle production.
VW to ditch petrol and diesel cars manufacturing at key factory
Volkswagen is set to remove production lines for all internal combustion engine vehicles from one of its key factories this year, replacing them with electric vehicle production capacity. EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net, reports.
Tesla tops list of most valuable carmakers
US electric vehicle specialist Tesla overtook Toyota to become the most valuable car company in the world on Wednesday (1 June), but Elon Musk’s firm also scaled back plans at its future Berlin factory.
Why post-Covid stimulus plans must make travel more sustainable
Stimulus plans should make mobility more sustainable, and electrifying shared rides can help, writes Maya Ben Dror.
Finland: Europe’s battery producing Shangri-La
Europe’s ambitions of cornering a substantial slice of the multi-billion-euro global battery market are best illustrated by Finland, which has all the raw materials needed to produce electric vehicle power packs and the right conditions needed to do it sustainably.
Is nickel sustainable in electrical vehicle batteries?
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular and attractive as prices fall and charging infrastructure becomes more widespread. Dr Mark Mistry explains what factors affect the sustainability of one of the most important ingredients in a car's battery: nickel.
Largest electric plane in Europe takes to the skies over the UK
A six-seater battery-powered aircraft flew for the first time over the UK on Monday (22 June), becoming Europe’s largest e-plane in the process just as the aviation industry revealed that it wants the EU to invest big in the future of flight innovation.
Firms start to believe in a battery afterlife
By 2040, one out of every three passenger cars around the world is predicted to be electric-battery powered. But the power packs that drive those vehicles do not last forever, so what will become of them once they lose their charge?
Denmark’s e-ferry passes sea trials in style
The world’s largest all-electric ferry completed 10 months of trials last week, as the EU-funded project revealed that battery-powered boats will save operators money compared to their diesel counterparts during their decades of service.
Germany’s EU presidency: A chance to boost electric cars at home and abroad
Germany’s six-month-long stint at the helm of the EU Council Presidency will see it preside over talks on the Commission’s planned €750 billion recovery fund. Stef Cornelis explains why Berlin should ensure those talks result in a green agreement between...
Greek law gives strong push for electromobility
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis' reaction to the European Parliament's resolution deploring his conflict of interest, riots in the German city of Stuttgart and so much more.
Coronavirus and the great electric-battery dividend
The global health pandemic has dealt a body blow to many areas of the economy but the battery industry looks set to reap significant rewards, even if it will also have to put up with a short-term slump in demand.
Navigating the road ahead for battery tech
Europe's climate agenda and willingness to tag its virus-recovery efforts to green objectives mean that electric-battery technology is due for a great decade.
Wales in line for latest battery mega-factory
A firm that aims to make the United Kingdom a leading force in sustainable battery technology has chosen Wales as the preferred site for its first giga-factory, which promises to bring thousands of jobs to one of Europe's poorest regions.
Electric plane certified by EU regulator in world-first
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granted this week an electric aircraft worldwide certification to operate, in what the regulator hailed as a massive step forward in battery-powered flight.
France unveils €15bn in aerospace aid
The French government on Tuesday (9 June) lifted the lid on a €15 billion support package for its lucrative but embattled aerospace sector. The scheme involves a €500 million investment fund for smaller companies and a plan to debut a carbon-neutral plane by 2035.
Germany’s ruling parties agree on €130bn virus stimulus
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition on Wednesday (3 June) agreed a bumper stimulus package to speed up Germany’s recovery from the coronavirus. It includes a reduced VAT rate and beefed-up electric vehicle purchase premiums.
US hopes to expand strategic minerals initiative
The US State Department hopes to expand a strategic minerals initiative aimed at ensuring supply chains for metals critical for batteries and wind and solar power as demand for green energy keeps growing despite the coronavirus, a top diplomat said on Tuesday (2 June).
Macron demands carmakers turn to ‘Made in France’ for €8bn virus aid
French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled on Tuesday (26 May) an €8 billion aid package for the auto industry, which includes increased subsidies for electric car purchases and encourages manufacturers to relocate their factories back to France.
Energising the EU Green Deal through better battery chemicals management
Europe's climate plans have electrification at their core but in order to unlock its potential, batteries have to be managed and regulated in the right way, explain the Cross-Industry Initiative for better regulation in chemicals management (CII).
Four cities call for multi-billion-euro clean bus fund
The European Commission has been urged by to set up a multi-billion euro grant scheme for zero-emission buses and to help cities build new cycle paths, as part of the EU’s coronavirus recovery package.