German economy minister Altmaier and EU Commissioner 艩ef膷ovi膷 call for European "Airbus for batteries"
German economy and energy minister Peter Altmaier and Maro拧 艩ef膷ovi膷, vice President of the EU Commission and head of the "Energy Union" project, say Europe has to develop joint battery production capacities to ensure the continent retains its high share in value creation in a future mobility world. 鈥淲e have to follow an 鈥楢irbus for batteries鈥 approach,鈥 艩ef膷ovi膷 said at a visit to Altmaier鈥檚 ministry in Berlin, arguing that the international European aviation company serves as an example for joint European industrial policy. The EU Commission's Vice President said 鈥渨e want the best cars in the world manufactured here in Europe,鈥 adding that this requires to develop all relevant capacities for building electric cars and the infrastructure that comes with them, such as charging stations. German minister Altmaier said 鈥渨e have to do everything it takes to make alternative engines competitive鈥 and build factories for advanced battery production 鈥渘ot just in one but in many European countries". He added that there will be concrete results on this front 鈥渂efore the summer break". At their meeting ahead of the German government鈥檚 Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue in Berlin, Altmaier and 艩ef膷ovi膷 also discussed economic perspectives for European coal regions after the fossil energy source is phased out. 艩ef膷ovi膷 said the pair had met with German state premier Dietmar Woidke from Brandenburg, where Germany鈥檚 eastern coal region Lusatia is located, discussing 鈥渢he transition for Lusatia". The region faces the same challenges as coal regions in six other member states and perspectives have to be developed in parallel, 艩ef膷ovi膷 said.
See the 威力彩玩法 dossier The Energiewende and German carmakers for more information.