Commissioner Arias Cañete opens European Electric Vehicle Congress in Madrid

On Friday 27 October, Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action Miguel Arias Cañete will open today the IV European Electric Vehicle Congress in Madrid. In his speech he will underline the crucial importance of zero- and low- emission mobility for the future of the European transport sector. Ahead of the conference, the Commissioner said: “Europe has fallen behind in the clean vehicle race. We could lose technological leadership in clean vehicles if others keep accelerating away from us. Our upcoming standards for cars and vans will be a fundamental tool to push for innovation and investments in clean vehicles in Europe. We want all European manufacturers to invest and innovate, to succeed in this key new market.”The second delivery of the mobility package scheduled for adoption in the coming weeks will comprise legislative proposals and initiatives to deliver on the European Strategy for low-emission mobility from June 2016. It will include proposals to decarbonise the transport sectors, the revision of the clean vehicles directive and CO₂ standards for new cars and vans for the period after 2020, an Action Plan for alternative fuel infrastructures with dedicated measures including new funding opportunities as well as a flagship initiative on batteries. The upcoming package will be part of the wider political context to make European industry stronger and more competitive as outlined by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in his State of the European Union speech in September this year. Following up on this, the Renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy will help the EU industries to stay or become the world leader in innovation, digitisation and decarbonisation. Building on Europe’s leadership in a low-carbon and circular economy, this helps the EU to implement its Paris Agreement commitments. More information about the conference here.