Can Europe save its electrical automobiles? | EUROtoday

On Mar 25, 2025

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Le evaluation 2024 of the automotive trade confirms the fears of European producers. According to the financial report of the ACEA (Association of European Automobiles producers), the pictures of the sector reveals a large in the course of the room: China produced 35.4 % of world automobiles and bought almost 23 million models out of a world complete of 74.6 million gross sales. A compressor roll that legitimately worries European producers. On the continental market, Chinese producers have already gained over 17.2 % of imports in worth, a rise that appears unstoppable.

Meanwhile, EU vehicle manufacturing dropped by 6.2 % in 2024, whereas trade confidence stays considerably decrease than in different European manufacturing sectors. China has skilled a 5.2 % enhance in its manufacturing.

Decreased electrical automobiles gross sales

In Europe, gross sales of electrical automobiles fell 5.6 % between 2023 and 2024, an alarm sign that doesn’t deceive. Faced with Asian competitors, and significantly Chinese, Europe subsequently reacted by an motion plan on March 5.

“The flexibility proposed to achieve the objectives of CO₂ In the coming years constituted a first welcome step towards a more pragmatic approach to decarbonation, dictated by the realities of the market and geopolitics. It promises a respite to car manufacturers and vannettes, provided that the essential measures in terms of demand and charging infrastructure are now effective, “stated Sigrid de Vries, common supervisor of the affiliation of European vehicle producers.

Trump’s risk of costs

On the one hand the Chinese large, on the opposite, the Trump risk. The American president frequently agitates the spectrum of punitive customs taxes in opposition to European producers. European exports to the United States have already dropped by 4.6 % in 2024. A market which stays essential, representing almost 1 / 4 of European automobile exports. The lights of the dashboard gentle up even when, for the second, the automotive sector nonetheless data a commerce surplus of 81 billion euros in 2024, nonetheless down 5.9 % in comparison with 2023.

Read too The sudden penalties of Trump’s commerce warfareThe most radical element of the European Commission plan considerations overseas investments. The European Commission presents an distinctive financial safety technique, breaking with many years of unconditional opening to overseas capital. Assumed protectionism which goals to relocate a part of the manufacturing chain, presently dominated by Asian actors. These new guidelines present for obligatory expertise transfers, binding commitments to native employment, and particular provide ensures to vital elements. The Commission doesn’t have the ability to impose expertise transfers; It solely presents member states to take action.

Autonomous automobiles: three check zones in 2026

The Chinese risk, with its aggressive enlargement technique within the European automotive trade, has definitively modified the traces. This assumed protectionism marks a serious inflection in European industrial coverage, remodeling financial protection into an instrument of technological sovereignty.

In addition, Brussels admits the European delay in autonomous automobiles. The plan supplies for the creation of no less than three cross-border areas of testing in 2026. A minimal goal when you recognize that fleets of robott taxis has already been circulating, since June 2024 in San Francisco, and Shanghai since August 2024.

A blow of “boost” with the battery technique

To make up for this delay, the Commission is launching a “European alliance for connected and autonomous vehicles”. This alliance is meant to assist to pool producers’ efforts to develop frequent software program platforms. Rivalries between producers must be overcome.

Second facet of plan: a lift to batteries within the type of a verify for 3 billion euros from the innovation fund to assist the manufacture of batteries. The Commission even plans “direct production support”. Notable novelty: “European content requirements” shall be launched for batteries. Assumed protectionism which contrasts with the standard free-exchange doxa of Brussels.

Faced with the bronca of automotive producers, the Commission proposed a short lived softening of emission requirements. Manufacturers who exceed the goals set for 2025 will be capable of compensate in 2026 or 2027. Behind the scenes, we’re already speaking a few potential softening of the goals for 2035. The door is ajar to a leisure of environmental constraints.

Heavy items automobiles, the sector requires revision of CO requirements₂

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Answer

With regard to charging infrastructure, 570 million euros is scheduled to deploy terminals, with an accent on heavy automobiles. “This vehicle segment is still lacking an explicit commitment to launch the revision of CO standards₂In 2025, including an urgent assessment of favorable conditions, ”added Vries.

Behind these industrial strategies, there are women and men. The automotive industry represents 13 million direct and indirect jobs in Europe. The transition to electric can upset these balances, with businesses to disappear. Europe does not leave. With an automobile GDP of 1,000 billion euros, it still has many advantages. Prestige brands, dense industrial fabric, recognized technological expertise. But time is running out. This industrial plan is undoubtedly the last chance to reinvent a competitive European automotive sector worldwide.

https://www.lepoint.fr/monde/l-europe-peut-elle-sauver-ses-vehicules-electriques-24-03-2025-2585518_24.php