Platform for Electromobility reaction to the revision of the European Batteries Directive
10 December 2020
Read our full paper here:
Platform for Electromobility reaction to the revision of the European Batteries Directive_v1_Final
The Platform for Electromobility – representing 39 industrial, urban and environmental stakeholders from across Europe’s e-mobility value chain – welcomes the Commission’s long-awaited publication of their proposal for new European rules for batteries as presented today.
This comprehensive legislation will be key to ensuring batteries on the European market are both produced in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner, while at the same time, putting the EU firmly on track to meet to achieving its 2050 climate-neutrality and industrial leadership ambitions as set out by the Strategic Action Plan on Batteries. The revision of the current legislative framework has the potential to provide further regulatory support and clarity for the European battery manufacturing and recycling industries by establishing legislative measures capable of increasing the continent’s competitiveness in the booming e-mobility sector. Specifically, the the whole objective of the proposal should create the legal conditions and incentives for a domestic, competitive, high-quality battery market to emerge in Europe, with true business cases for battery end of life management and environmentally sound recycling, which can help accelerate the EU’s transition to zero emissions.
Batteries will underpin Europe’s drive to climate neutral economy and zero-emission transport. In this context, we urge policymakers to keep the following in mind as the Commission proposal is debated in the European Parliament and Council:
1. Ensure comprehensive due diligence requirements – from sourcing, to refining and manufacturing – are supported at EU level so that the battery industry can bring social and environmental value along the entire value chain;
2. Develop a robust EU carbon footprint methodology addressing all batteries chemistries and covering all key emission hotspots/phases;
3. Pave the way for an effective, net-value circular economy strategy capable of treating developing waste volumes and meeting the needs of a fast-paced, innovative industry such as e-mobility.
4. Avoid batteries are not lost once they hit the market via an improved (end-of-life) declaration system;
5. Provide a consistent regulatory framework for 2nd life options of EV batteries.
As EV sales begin to take off in Europe, the future success of the EU’s ability to remain competitive with the rest of the world will be heavily dependent on the ability to domestically develop batteries at larger scale in order to meet EV demand and help accelerate the transition to e-mobility. Only with clear rules and high standards can Europe fully reap the benefits of a home-grown battery industry, bringing economic value, jobs and long-term growth as a part of the e-mobility transition.
Jayson Dong, Chair of the Batteries Working Group in the Platform for Electromobility, added that “this piece of legislation will be key to supporting a thriving European e-mobility ecosystem. It will play a key role in delivering on the innovation, sustainability and competitiveness ambitions of the 2017 launched European Battery Alliance and working towards the EU’s Green Deal roadmap. The Platform for Electromobility looks forward to engaging with all relevant EU decisionmakers on this file and sharing our wealth of expertise to ensure the EU becomes a leader in the manufacturing of innovative and sustainable EV batteries.”
For more information about the Platform and our detailed position on the revision of the Batteries Directive, please find our paper on our website here.
Input to Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy
Electromobility is the best solution to achieve the climate and industrial ambition of the European Green Deal for transport. The Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy will present the European Commission’s new vision on mobility for the upcoming years and must thus set a long-term and ambitious policy framework and support the further electrification of all modes of transport. It needs particularly to support the roll-out of an accessible charging infrastructure network for all modes of transport. The urgent revision of the TEN-T guidelines and AFI Directive for road and rail must occur without any delay and will ensure the decarbonisation of both modes of transports. The revision of the AFI Directive must be ambitious and should clearly set minimum binding targets per the Member States and type of vehicles (LDVs and HDVs) for the deployment of charging infrastructure for low- and zero emission transport technologies in order to reach the 2050 climate neutrality objective.
Smart charging, and demand-side resources (i.e. vehicle to grid) will therefore constitute a key enabler to strengthen future synergies between transport, digital, and energy sectors, supporting Europe’s energy transition and fostering technological innovation. In line with the Energy System Integration Strategy, the Platform for Electro-Mobility recommends that EU and Member States’ policy-makers encourage and develop policies in support of these innovative system integration technologies to unlock all the benefits it can deliver to the electricity system and to society at large. The European Commission must also make sure that the synergies between energy and mobility are maximised with adequate financial cross-sectoral schemes. Funding and support for electrical upgrades (within buildings as well as grid connections) necessary to install charging equipment should also be made available to consumers, for instance through the upcoming Renovation Wave initiative, and namely through the revision of European Performance of Buildings Directive. Support for zero emission mobility will address the behavioural changes and answer the growing demand. Therefore, it would be important for the Commission to shape regulations to drive affordable supply of EV models and design mechanisms to enhance the consumers’ uptake of electro-mobility innovations and ensure social inclusion of lower income households. The corporate market is a clear lead market for electrification and the strategy should include mechanisms to require more and more fleets such as company cars, taxis and delivery vehicles to electrify and support companies towards this goal. It is also key to rebalance the modal shares with a view to encouraging a greater use of energy-efficient modes with the highest electrification rates such as rail as well as measures to ensure the modal shift to rail.
The Battery Directive will be key to create a sustainable environment and should provide conditions for the EU to become more competitive. The new strategy should also support innovative and competitive business models for the second life and recycling of EV batteries. The Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy should recognise the vital role of businesses in stimulating the EV market and providing EV charging to help make e-mobility a more affordable and viable option for citizens across the EU.
New mobility zero emission shared services alongside public transport (bus, rail, tram and metros) have a key part to play in the electrification of urban transport. In cities, the development of a sustainable and efficient urban freight, with a focus on zero emissions trucks as well as last-mile delivery services, are long-term solutions which need to be stimulated. Furthermore, taxation is a central driver for the decarbonisation of transport, and it is essential that the EU’s taxation rules are aligned with its decarbonisation commitment. Specifically, the revision of the Eurovignette and the Energy Taxation Directivesis a chance to build a future-proof taxation policy, adapting to a modern and decarbonised economy while accompanying the uptake of electromobility by integrating a CO2 component.
The Platform for Electro-mobility unites organisations from across civil society, industries, cities and transport modes. Its members are committed to promote electro-mobility and strive to collectively develop solutions to electrify European transport, and to promote those solutions to the EU institutions and Member States. The Platform is working to create a sustainable, multimodal transport system in which people and goods are predominantly moved across land in Europe using sustainable electricity. The aim of the Platform is to drive the development and implementation of sustainable European Union policies, programmes and initiatives to move people and goods by electricity https://www.platformelectromobility.eu.
