Brussels, 15 February 2010 –After an informal two days meeting of EU competitiveness ministers on 9 February, the Spanish EU presidency has announced its intention to boost the Electric Vehicles industry in Europe. The meeting concluded that EVs are the future of transport and the EU should draft a European strategy to address the obstacles facing their implementation.

This strategy could be adopted during next spring's competitiveness council. Miguel Sebastián, Spanish Minister of Industry, stated that “it is no exaggeration” to say that the electric vehicle “has been born today in Europe”. In preparation for this meeting, the Spanish EU Presidency presented a discussion paper that puts forward several issues for discussion by the delegations. Download (.pdf 1MB).

Highlights The discussion paper is very positive about Electric Vehicles (EVs), stressing that "Hybrid and electric vehicles will play a big role in tomorrow's mobility".

It addresses EVs in the broad sense, including pure electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and extended-range electric vehicles. The paper draws a brief and informed analysis of the potential, opportunities and challenges that are likely to arise from an increase in battery-powered mobility.

It covers the main issues and seeks to establish broad political understanding concerning action required at the European level, noting that clear European guidelines are necessary to ensure consistency between member states.

Click on the link below to read the entire document.