Page 25 - European Energy Innovation - summer 2019 publication
P. 25
Summer 2019 European Energy Innovation 25
INNOVATION IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR
There are some in Reducing CO2 emissions in the decision-making has already proved
Europe who think that transport sector is an opportunity that it can make the positive link
the decarbonisation of on multiple fronts: safeguarding towards decarbonisation between
Europe’s roads is some the climate and environment, industry and society. It is happening
type of an unachievable utopia reducing the impact of pollution in the energy sector. What we
– dreamt about by a handful of on our health, increasing the want now is to transfer this
idealistic environmental activists. supply of clean vehicles on the political will, experience and
market, making them more knowledge to making this happen
I believe it could not be further affordable for consumers, investing in the transport sector.
from the truth. We need to face in infrastructure to make the
inconvenient truths about growing transition happen, boosting Electromobility, as one of the key
vehicle emissions and degrading innovation and competitiveness and solutions is already happening. We
air quality. We need to understand investing even more in our workers. are starting to have more and more
the changing competitiveness clean vehicles on the road, and
landscape of the automotive sector. The decarbonisation of the electric bikes are becoming more
transport sector would also be in popular. Eventually, developments
Innovation is not utopia. line with the commitments under in battery and fuel cell technologies
the Paris Agreement, which is key are expected to result in a quicker
Innovation is the future. Innovation as the European Union has placed increase in market shares for zero
is something we can make happen. itself as “a leader” in the fight and low-emission vehicles in the
against climate change. coming years.
The past ten years have been all
about innovation in the energy Such a fight cannot take place only The EU car industry will
sector; more and more renewables on paper, but requires concrete have to consider adapting to
and decentralisation and and meaningful action from us all, changing demands and focus
decarbonisation of the electricity including policy-makers, industry more on developing these new
generation in Europe – and it players, institutional stakeholders technologies. This will require
happened. Science, technology with and consumers, as well. more focus on innovation to
the good combination of great retain competitiveness, but also,
efforts in R&D and supportive policy In a perfect scenario, we would manufacturing electric batteries
measures made us achieve a real look at the life-cycle of all and chargers will provide economic
change in the energy sector. It is transport modes, including land, and employment opportunities.
not a utopia any more. water and air use. However, given
the scale of change that is needed, This innovation will shape our
Now, it is the transport sector’s it is important to focus on transport future for good – it is not only
turn. The challenge and the main sectors where new technologies an economic opportunity Europe
drivers are similar – if not the same. are available on larger scale should not miss, but also the
It is about putting the sector on the already today. responsibility we have towards
decarbonisation track; about new future generations. It is about the
business models and new, changing Here, we need both a technology air they will breath and the climate
consumption patterns. It is about push and a strong policy push, too. they will be living in.
a new, sustainable and more
competitive European economy. We know – from past experiences The decision is on us today,
– that in case of new technologies and the time for action is now.
When I took on the negotiations of being a promising disruptive Decarbonising the road transport
the legislative file on post 2020 CO2 solution might not be enough. is not utopia – but an achievable
standards for cars and vans, I knew This is of course also true for new reality.
exactly what I wanted to achieve transport technologies.
and my resolve strengthened the We need small revolutions in
more I held meetings with the The players in the field of policy-making, in investment
carmakers, technical experts, social e-mobility are often separated in decisions, in the operation of the
partners, consumer organisations opposing camps with great market financial markets, in energy and
and environmental NGOs. power. Additionally, old business transport technologies. Politics
models are being challenged by a need to trigger this change and
I wanted to push innovation in new way of thinking. policy-makers need to encourage
the European automotive sector and stimulate this new economy.
in order to increase its future I believe that regulation and policy-
competitiveness and to strengthen makers can make a real difference We need to rethink our economic
decarbonisation efforts. here. They have an important job paradigm. We need to embrace
in this process. Regulation gives sustainability. We need to
What we have in front of us, I clarity and adds trust, which is key encourage and push innovation in
believe, is the opportunity to for success. In the upcoming years, new technologies. This is what I
harness a global challenge and it is about bringing the technology believed in and what I worked and
put Europe’s car manufacturing world and regulation together. fought for during this major EU
industry at the forefront before legislation. l
other continents take over. I can’t emphasise enough that EU
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