Statement by Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovic following the high-level meeting on battery development and production in Europe
date: 20/10/2017
On 11 October Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovic has made a statement on the need for Europe-wide approach on battery development and production in Europe after a meeting with Member States and industry representatives.
He said: "Members of the EU industry and innovation community will drive this process, working in close partnership with the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and interested Member States, to establish a competitive manufacturing chain, capture sizeable markets and boost jobs, growth and investment across Europe.
Since time is running out, we concluded that we will join our efforts to come up with a strategic plan early next year. This could take the form of a comprehensive roadmap for an EU Battery Alliance, to be presented in February 2018, at the Clean Energy Industrial Forum, as part of the EU Industry Days.
The work starts immediately. Following today's high-level meeting, we will organise a number of working groups, including on the supply chain, investment financing and engineering, trade issues, research and innovation, and others. Industrial participants will take the lead, express interest to participate in or even be rapporteur for each work strand."