Electric vehicles
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.
EU’s battery mega-projects charge on despite virus
The European Union’s quest to corner a sizeable chunk of the globe’s battery market has batted off the worst effects of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the officials tasked with overseeing the mini-industrial strategy.
Electric car sales in Europe jumped 57% in Q1 2020
Registrations of electric cars in Europe jumped 57.4% in the first quarter of 2020, but still only accounted for 4.3% of total registrations, auto industry data showed on Tuesday, as carmakers struggle to meet tough new anti-pollution rules.
Green ‘cash for clunkers’ deals on the starting grid
Car renewal schemes aimed at boosting the automotive industry and the wider economy during the virus recovery period are likely to be linked to climate targets, although the actual effectiveness of such programmes is still a matter of debate.
How to keep cities pollution-free after virus lockdowns lift
As authorities across Europe prepare for a stepwise lift of coronavirus lockdown measures, they are facing a make-or-break moment for urban mobility. Yoann Le Petit details four proven strategies that should keep cities free of pollution as normality starts to return.
Out with the old (engines), in with the new
Europe is at a crossroads, thanks in part to the coronavirus outbreak's massive impact on the economy. Julia Poliscanova explains which fork in the road the car industry should take and the role electric vehicles should play.
Power grid operators launch blockchain for home and car batteries
European electricity grid operators TenneT, Swissgrid and Terna have launched a cross-border blockchain platform, saying it will help stabilise the grid while allowing households to earn “a few hundred euros per year” from their home and car batteries.
Renault’s €5bn bailout gets EU go-ahead
The French government’s €5 billion bailout of Renault got the green light from the European Commission on Wednesday (29 April), as the EU executive heralded the carmaker's focus on electric vehicle development.
Coronavirus grounds Airbus and Boeing’s lofty plans
Developments in the aerospace industry are falling by the wayside because of the coronavirus outbreak’s huge impact on the sector: US planemaker Boeing has abandoned international joint venture plans while European rival Airbus has nixed a project aimed at producing electric-powered aircraft.
Romania allows derogations in fossil fuel blending
The Romanian government adopted on 9 April an emergency ordinance that changes the regulations on fuel sales and allows the sale of gasoline and diesel without the mandatory quotas including biofuels, EURACTIV.ro reported.
German auto industry calls for incentives to boost green car demand
Germany’s auto industry association VDA on Thursday (16 April) joined a chorus of demands from auto industry executives and politicians calling for more incentives to revive demand for low emission vehicles in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The time to decentralise electric vehicle e-roaming is now
Whether for personal travel or cellular phones or petrol-fueled cars, roaming is good and common. So why do we make it so much harder for EVs? ask Jesse Morris and Dietrich Sümmermann. Jesse Morris is chief commercial officer of Energy...
Lithium tipped for EU list of critical raw materials
The soft, silvery-white alkali metal is expected to enter the EU list of critical raw materials later this year because of its strategic importance to the automotive industry, EURACTIV has learned.
Coronavirus slows US push to produce electric vehicle minerals
The coronavirus pandemic is hobbling US efforts to produce lithium, rare earths and other materials used in electric vehicles and high-tech equipment, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump’s plan to curb Chinese control of the strategic minerals sector.
‘Worst crisis ever’: Carmakers line up for recovery cash amid calls to go green
While European carmakers cry for help, environmentalists say public money aimed at helping the automotive industry recover from the COVID-19 crisis must be future-proof and geared towards green technologies.
Why is the EV rollout at risk of stalling?
Ensuring a swift transition to electric vehicles is one of the clearest ways for governments to make significant progress on emissions reductions, writes Helen Clarkson. However, governments risk holding it back, she adds.
Making car CO2 standards fit for the electric age
Under the current fleet standard regulation, the allowed emissions of combustion-powered cars are getting out of control as more and more zero-emission vehicles enter the fleet, writes Günter Hörmandinger.
Case against Tesla: Are German environmental groups abusing their rights to sue?
Two environmental associations have brought a case against the clearing of forests for a new Tesla factory in Brandenburg, saying they want to protect the environment. But is it possible that these associations are not seeing the bigger picture and are acting against their own cause? EURACTIV Germany reports.
Macron cuts ribbon on first battery mega-project
French President Emmanuel Macron attended on Thursday (30 January) the ground-breaking ceremony for a new battery factory in southwest France: the first real result of an EU-led policy aimed at boosting the industry and helping it withstand global competitors.