authentic euro 7, as it is processed, represents a competitive barrier to Volkswagen and Seat as well as to the rest of European car companies. The wording of this text sets out the emission reduction NOx 25% for diesel vehicles, as well as a ban on the manufacture of combustion vehicles from 2035 in the Eurozone.
Manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Seat, as well as Steinlentis, admit that the transition to electric vehicles is not being done in an organized manner. And it is that Spain has started building houses from the roof in this electrification in the automobile sector. Sale of electric cars, discounts on plug-in hybrids, closed last January with a total of 3,061 units, up 72.3% at the inter-annual rate. According to statistics from the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC), the market share is still very low, barely 4.77% of the total number of vehicles sold.
Spain in tail van across EU in charging points for electric vehicles
The reason is that there is no charging infrastructure here. Sector sources have told MERCA2, “Spain is in the tail van of the whole of the European Union in charging points for electric vehicles.” And that is, electroliner Not installing at expected rate Due to constraints being able to locate so-called electricity withdrawal points, which directly depend on the electricity companies that manage the network. HHere are other factors that explain the slow introduction of electric vehicles,
Electric Car Challenges: Roof to House
On the one hand, Transition is designed entirely for urban mobility and for very few people. Large families with this type of vehicle are left without a mobility solution. Besides, Urban mobility adapted to ‘carsharing’, Car rental, given the lack of interest among young people in having their own car. On the other hand, manufacturers continue to have supply chain problems, a setback that has been brewing since mid-2021 and was expected to be resolved late last year. However, the components have still not arrived and ERTE and ERE play a key role in production lines,
However, automobile companies have reduced their sales. trying to make more profit with less output This is possible only by increasing the prices, a decision that further alienates households and companies as inflation hits and interest rates continue to rise; And also huge delays in delivery, which continue for months.
Another one of the problems facing electric vehicle centers battery reliability, Shipping companies and insurers are refusing to transport this type of cargo because of container fires. One of the most infamous accidents happened in February last year. He felicity aceWith 4,000 vehicles on board, the fire started and drifted until it sank. The cargo was valued at approximately 250 million euros, most of which corresponded to luxury vehicles. Since then, some companies dedicated to the traffic of marine cargo demand certain requirements, such as the total discharge of the battery to avoid accidents.
Volkswagen insists on European support
With this scenario, Automobile companies try to soften the new rules as much as possible, although the European Union will ban the manufacture of combustion vehicles within 12 years. Since this objective was set, firms have tried to adapt the rules to their strategies and Spain will be an essential player from July, when it takes over the EU presidency.
The pressure on the executive will be maximum as the date draws closer, especially after the spectacular failure of the Connected Electric Vehicle (PRTE). Initially, it was expected 11,855 million euros invested and only 877.2 million in the end, The initial hope was to raise one public euro for every four in private investment, but nothing further. European aid could not materialize due to high bureaucracy, requirements for the companies themselves and execution time, which established an investment horizon of 2026 and which is being negotiated to be able to be extended to 2028.
With this scenario, the President of the Government, pedro sanchezWith the CEO of Volkswagen, oliver bloomand seat and president of the Spanish Association of Car and Truck Manufacturers (Anfac), Wayne Griffiths, Both explained the project ‘Future: Fast Forward’, in which 52 companies are participating and with which investments of around 10,000 million euros are expected. But They need more public support to be able to complete it in a time bound manner,
Concern about power station shortage
He has also shown his concern about the practical absence of charging points to be able to implement an electric vehicle, which is one of the concerns of consumers and families when it comes to choosing this mobility solution that is still in Spain. Has not started.
In Bloom’s opinion, Europe needs an industrial policy «more competitive» And for this, the stringent requirements of Euro 7 regulations must be eased. In this sense, it will be easier for foreign manufacturers to enter the European market than for their own manufacturers.
In addition, the German group and the Spanish company have emphasized the energy autonomy of Europe, which is more dependent USA now because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, As well as in the supply of raw materials and components.
Volkswagen and €10,000M investment
In addition, the business group ‘Future: Fast Forward’, led by Volkswagen and Seat, will raise 10,000 million euros in investment, which will have an impact 145,000 jobs in the automotive industry among direct jobsIndirect and induced and, in addition, it will generate 2,400 million euros in taxes and social security contributions, according to the figures exposed by Griffiths.
Together with the Spanish government, we are ready to turn Spain into a European electric mobility ‘hub’
70% of this investment is paid by Volkswagen, seat why powerholdco and another 3,000 million euros to the rest of the partners. The amount will go to the gigafactory of batteries for electric vehicles in Sagunto (Valencia) and the electrification of the Volkswagen Group plants in Landaben (Navarra) and Martorell (Catalonia).
«Together with the Spanish Government, we are ready to transform Spain into a European electric mobility hub. The investment plan will generate sustainable growth in Spain”, said Volkswagen’s executive chairman. However, all these projects are at the expense of Europe’s decision on funds.
