The ambitious Volkswagen Group electrification plan also includes the construction of 6 battery factories in Europe where the new "unified cells" which will be used by all future electric models of the German group. As reported by the Financial Times, the German group would have "frozen" one of his projects for the construction of a new factory in Eastern Europe.
The reason? According to what has been reported, the decision would be linked to the will; want to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)which, as we know, offers important concessions for all automotive companies intending to invest in the United States. The German group would therefore intend to favor the construction of a plant in North America given that it could receive subsidies and loans for almost 10 billion dollars from the Inflation Reduction Act and other US programs over time.
The automaker is waiting for a response from Europeto the Inflation Reduction Act before moving forward with its plans in the Old Continent. Before making a definitive decision, the top management of the German Group are therefore awaiting a signal from the European Union.
The Volkswagen Group, however, has made it known that it is not A decision has been made on the location of the battery factory in the United States. Furthermore, he confirmed his willingness to participate in the project. to go and build 6 battery plants in Europe, although the right conditions are needed. That's why; the Germans are waiting for the position of the leaders of the European Union.
For the moment, of the 6 battery cell factories of the Volkswagen Group, those of Sweden are confirmed in a joint venture with Northvolt, of Salzgitter , in Germany and of Sagunto, near Valencia, in Spain. Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic were in contention for the factory in Eastern Europe.
That the Inflation Reduction Act can reduce investments in the battery sector and not only in Europe is, unfortunately, a fact. Volkswagen board member Thomas Schmall recently stressed that Europe risks losing billions of investments given the attractive terms of the US Inflation Reduction Act.
Moreover, just in the last few days, Transport & Environment has raised the alarm on this issue, stating in a new study that 68% of the capacity of the environment is at risk. production of batteries in Europe expected for the next few years precisely because of the concessions put in place by the American government. For this reason, rapid intervention by the European Union was called for in order to create a central fund accessible to all member states which gives priority to funding. to the mobility value chain; electric.
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