Asger Risom
Delaying or reversing the EU’s zero-emissions policies could devastate Europe’s automotive industry, costing up to one million jobs and wiping out €120 billion in projected revenue.
Delaying or reversing the EU’s zero-emissions policies could devastate Europe’s automotive industry, costing up to one million jobs and wiping out €120 billion in projected revenue.
A Million Jobs at Risk
Transport & Environment (T&E) warns that reversing climate targets could eliminate up to 1 million automotive jobs across Europe by 2035, undermining one of the continent’s key industries.
€120 Billion in Vanishing Revenue
Pulling back from zero-emissions policies would also erase an estimated €120 billion in revenue from Europe’s EV charging and supply chain sectors over the next decade.
Electrification Still Offers Big Gains
If the EU stays committed, the automotive sector could generate €79 billion in economic value annually by 2035—five times more than today.
Battery Production Could Explode
Maintaining current targets could enable the EU to produce 900 GWh of batteries annually by 2030, up from just 187 GWh in 2024.
Spain: A Powerhouse in the Making
With 24 major EV investment projects and over €28 billion committed, Spain leads Europe in developing the electric vehicle value chain.
Threat to Key Projects
Three flagship EV production sites in Spain—including Volkswagen’s Pamplona plant and SEAT’s Martorell facility—face risks if EU policy weakens.
Thousands of Jobs Could Be Created
The transition could generate 100,000 battery-related jobs by 2030 and another 120,000 in the charging sector by 2035, offsetting losses in traditional manufacturing.
EU’s Global Standing at Stake
T&E emphasizes that policy consistency is vital for Europe to compete with China and the U.S. in EV technology and industrial leadership.
€11 Billion in EV Manufacturing at Risk
A weaker CO₂ target would deter €11 billion in electric vehicle investments, jeopardizing the sector’s future viability.
The Green Deal Crossroads
T&E concludes that abandoning the Green Deal’s automotive targets would be a costly mistake—one measured not just in euros, but in lost leadership and irreversible industrial decline.
