Europe could improve its growth prospects and create 500,000 to 1.1 million net additional jobs in 2030 through auto sector innovation. Increased technology to cut fuel consumption would allow the EU to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and deliver between €58 and €83 billion a year in fuel savings for the EU economy by 2030. This shift will achieve the double bonus of mitigating climate change and creating a much-needed economic stimulus.
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These are some of the conclusions of a new report – Fuelling Europe’s Future: How auto innovation leads to EU jobs – released today by a consortium of transport sector stakeholders. The technical analysis was conducted by Ricardo-AEA and the economic modelling by Cambridge Econometrics.
Key findings:
CLEPA European Association of Automotive Suppliers
“This report demonstrates the boost to Europe’s economy that can be achieved simply by ensuring today’s best-in-class efficient technologies are deployed more widely. Industry, governments and academic institutions must work together to ensure Europe has sufficient highly-skilled workers and engineers to capture this opportunity.” Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer, CLEPA European Association of Automotive Suppliers
EURELECTRIC
“Electrification of transport has clear benefits: it reduces CO2 emissions, saves energy and is the main instrument for overcoming oil dependence. Moreover, when managed intelligently, electric vehicles can contribute to grid stability by balancing increasing shares of variable and decentralised renewables. This report shows the advantages of electricity as the optimal alternative fuel solution.” Hans ten Berge, Secretary-General, Eurelectric
EUROBAT
“EUROBAT welcomes the findings of the study, which are valuable in recognizing the economic benefits of automotive sector innovation to European society; both through further short-term improvements to the internal combustion engine’s performance via on-board battery systems and other technologies, and moving ahead towards 2050 with the transition towards vehicle hybridisation and electrification. With batteries of all technologies already improving fuel efficiency across the different levels of e-mobility, EUROBAT urges policymakers to act strongly to ensure the study’s projected economic benefits remain in Europe for battery manufacturers and other companies along the automotive supply chain.” Alfons Westgeest, Executive Director, EUROBAT
EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM ASSOCIATION (EAA)
“We welcome that the report acknowledges the potential of lightweighting materials to improve the energy efficiency of any vehicles. Europe’s ambition to be leader in efficient vehicles must be reflected in a technology neutral legislation that will boost innovation and foster the European industry‘s competitiveness” said Gerd Götz, Director General EAA.
IndustriAll Europe
“From the workers’ perspective, it is important that this study shows how low carbon technologies for motor vehicles offer the opportunity for new and additional jobs within the sector. Therefore, the current crisis should not become the pretext to slow down the transition – but should be used as the occasion for training workers and preparing the change.”
NISSAN
“The final results of the study demonstrate the many benefits zero emission mobility could bring to the community at large, and how it goes well beyond sustainable mobility. The accelerated market penetration of electric vehicles in Europe would result in a significant steps being made towards a better urban air quality, creation of new jobs and a stronger European economy. This would create jobs across Europe, not just in car manufacturing, but also in suppliers of electric vehicle infrastructure and support services.” Olivier Paturet, General Manager Electric Vehicle Strategy, Nissan Europe.
SCOTTISH AND SOUTHERN ENEGRY(SSE)
“SSE is pleased to have contributed to this far ranging and comprehensive report that we believe will become a standard reference for many years to come.” David Densley, Head of Sustainable Transport for SSE
TRANSPORT & ENVIRONMENT (T&E)
“We cannot halt the risk of dangerous climate change without tackling the emissions from cars, which account for 14 per cent of all CO2 in the bloc. This report demonstrates that a transition to e-mobility will be cost-effective, benefit the EU economy and generate jobs.” Greg Archer, Clean Vehicles Manager, Transport & Environment
ZERO
“This study shows that the way forward for European car industry is shifting to zero emission technology, for the economic development and for the climate. The work for that shifts starts today.” Marius Holm, Managing Director, climate foundation ZERO
Lessons from EU funding in Central and Eastern European countries
Global competitors are bold in pursuing their industrial futures, and so should the EU.
A T&E note outlines why allowing fuels – synthetic or bio – in cars makes no environmental, economic, or industrial sense.