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European Battery Alliance

European Battery Alliance

For Europe, battery production is a strategic imperative for clean energy transition and the competitiveness of its automotive sector. Moreover, the Commission's ‘New Industrial Policy Strategy’ goal is to make the EU the world leader in innovation, digitisation and decarbonisation.

Upcoming call for research projects: the next generation of batteries - opens 24 January 2019

 

Call for proposals on Blueprint on sectoral cooperation on skills - Batteries for electro-mobility - deadline 28 February 2019

 

What is the European Battery Alliance and why does it matter?

"Batteries are at the heart of the industrial revolution and I am convinced that Europe has what it takes to become the world’s leader in innovation, de­car­­bon­­i­­sa­­­tion and digitisation." - Vice-President Maroš Šefčovic

"Europe is investing in a competitive and sustainable battery manufacturing sector. We want to provide a framework that includes secure access to raw materials, support for technological innovation and consistent rules on battery production. We envisage a strong battery industry that contributes to the circular economy and clean mobility." - Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska

The European Battery Alliance (EBA) was launched in October 2017 by Vice President Šefčovič.

This cooperative platform gathers:

  • the European Commission
  • interested EU countries
  • the European Investment Bank
  • key industrial stakeholders 
  • innovation actors

The immediate objective is to create a competitive manufacturing value chain in Europe with sustainable battery cells at its core . To prevent a technological dependence on our competitors and capitalise on the job, growth and investment potential of batteries, Europe has to move fast in the global race. According to some forecasts, Europe could capture a battery market of up to €250 billion a year from 2025 onwards. Covering the EU demand alone requires at least 10 to 20 ‘gigafactories’ (large-scale battery cell production facilities).

The scale and speed of the necessary investment require a combined effort to address this industrial challenge.

Strategic Action Plan for Batteries

With the strategic action plan for batteries, the Commission adopted a comprehensive set of concrete measures to develop an innovative, sustainable and competitive battery 'ecosystem' in Europe. The plan aims to:

  • secure access to raw materials for batteries from resource-rich countries outside the EU and facilitate access to European sources of raw materials, as well as access secondary raw materials by recycling in a circular economy of batteries
  • support scaled European battery cell manufacturing and a full competitive value chain in Europe. the Alliance isl bringing key industry players and national authorities together and work in partnership with EU countries and the EIB to support integrated (cross-border) manufacturing projects at scale
  • strengthen industrial leadership through accelerated research and innovation support to advanced (e.g. Lithium-ion) and disruptive (e.g. solid state) technologies
  • develop and strengthen a highly skilled workforce along the whole value chain to close the skills gap. This includes providing adequate training at EU and country level, re-skilling and upskilling, and making Europe attractive for world-class experts in the field
  • support the sustainability of EU battery cell manufacturing industry with the lowest environmental footprint possible. This entails setting requirements for safe and sustainable battery production in Europe
  • ensure consistency with the broader EU regulatory and enabling framework (Clean Energy Strategy and Mobility Packages, trade policy, etc.)

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EBA Cycle small

This approach will promote the production and use of high-performing batteries and set sustainability benchmarks throughout the value chain.

Timeline

Since the launch of the European Battery Alliance, there have already been tangible developments with the announcements of industrial consortia or partnerships. The tab below contains a chronological account of all events, meetings, speeches and press releases related to the European Battery Alliance. It is regularly updated to reflect the latest developments.

European Battery Alliance Timeline

The European Battery Alliance announces their progress within one year – 15 October 2018

Within a year of the launch, the Commission Action Plan is in place, the first pilot production facilities are being built and further projects are announced to establish the EU as the lead player in the strategic area of battery innovation and manufacturing. 

Meeting with the European Standardization Organizations – 4 July 2018

Vice President Šefčovič met with the representatives of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC). There was an agreement on the need to promptly identify and develop the standards necessary to establish competitive, innovative and sustainable batteries' value chain in the EU.

Joint statement by Vice President Šefčovič and French State Secretary Delphine Geny-Stephann – 7 June 2018

Mission Innovation - 23 May

Strategic Action Plan on Batteries - 16 May 2018

The plan was developed in close consultation with stakeholders including industry and EU countries and building on the industry-led approach. It combines targeted measures at EU level including in raw materials, research and innovation, financing/investment,  standardisation/regulatory, trade and skills development. These measures aim to make Europe a global leader in sustainable battery production and use, in the context of the circular economy. 

Northvolt: first step towards European large-scale battery cell manufacturing

The kick-off of the construction of Northvolt Labs. Once completed in 2019, the cutting edge scale-up and research facility will be used to develop, test and industrialise lithium-ion battery cells before large-scale production.

Clean Energy Industrial Forum - 22 to 23 February 2018

As part of European Industry Day, the forum focused on the role that European industry can play in the clean energy transition.

EU supports Northvolt's European battery project with InnovFin backing

This regards the EIB loan of up to €52.5 million for the construction and operation of a first-of-a-kind demonstration plant in Sweden. It is supported by the European Commission through InnovFin, under the Energy Demo Projects Facility.

The Friends of the EU Battery Alliance - 20 February 2018

The launch of the Friends of EU Battery Alliance Group in the European Parliament

2nd high-level meeting on the EU Battery Alliance - 12 February 2018

World Economic Forum, Davos - 24 January 2018

This meeting was on the mission and vision of the Global Battery Alliance, the challenges and the areas for future work (supply of raw materials, towards circular economy for batteries, unlocking innovation along the value chain).

1st high-level meeting on the EU Battery Alliance - 11 October 2017

The launch of the European Battery Alliance by the European Commission with key industrial stakeholders, active EU countries and the European Investment Bank. This cooperative platform is aimed at facilitating the emergence of well-integrated and industry-led battery cell manufacturing projects.

Actors and Stakeholders

More than 120 industrial and innovation actors are active under the Alliance and collectively endorsed recommendations for priority actions steered by EIT InnoEnergy in partnership with active EU countries and the EIB.

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