alinnea held the first session of a new series of recurring dialogues focused on the evolution of the electric vehicle sector in Europe and Spain, with the aim of creating a regular space for updates and shared reflection on the main transformations shaping the industry. These dialogues bring together representatives from industry, trade unions, public administration, and civil society organizations to exchange information and perspectives.
This initiative builds on the work previously developed through alinnea’s working groups aimed at accelerating electric vehicle adoption in Spain, while offering a more dynamic and spaced-out format to facilitate ongoing monitoring of industrial, regulatory, and strategic developments related to electric mobility.
During this first session, participants addressed some of the key changes redefining the European automotive sector in a context marked by international competition, industrial transformation, and growing tensions surrounding the energy transition.
One of the main topics of discussion was the increasing questioning of the European Green Deal and the difficulties involved in reconciling decarbonization objectives with the current situation of the European automotive industry. In this context, participants analyzed how manufacturers, trade unions, and several Member States are beginning to reconsider their positions in light of the industrial and employment impacts of the transition.
The session also explored the strategic differences emerging within the sector regarding the role of plug-in hybrid vehicles compared to fully electric vehicles. While some countries, particularly Germany, continue to support hybrid solutions as an intermediate technology, several participants pointed out that this strategy could delay the adaptation of the European industry in the face of the rapid growth of Chinese manufacturers and the expansion of fully electric vehicles.
Another central issue was the transformation of the very concept of “European industry.” The arrival of Chinese manufacturers in Spain and other European countries is reshaping the traditional paradigm of “European industry versus Chinese industry,” shifting the focus instead toward the protection of employment, productive capacities, and industrial autonomy within Europe.
The session also provided an opportunity to analyze the major pending challenges related to the electrification of heavy-duty transport and industrial vehicles, which several participants identified as one of the main bottlenecks for transport decarbonization in Europe. Among the main difficulties highlighted were the lack of charging infrastructure, delays in grid access, and the absence of fully viable technological solutions for certain international logistics operations.
Finally, participants discussed recent strategic changes within several major European automotive groups. They noted that the reorganization of industrial priorities, leadership, and production models reflects a moment of profound redefinition for the European automotive industry.
This new cycle of dialogues reinforces alinnea’s commitment to creating spaces for exchange and collective analysis around the key challenges of the energy transition and industrial transformation in Europe.
