Muskโ€™s shadow hangs over Macronโ€™s AI summit

The special relationship that the French president tried to nurture with the tech billionaire never really bore fruit.

What Trumpโ€™s exit from the climate deal really means

Quitting the Paris Agreement triggers a cascade of real-world impacts and signals the beginning of an aggressive agenda to undo U.S. climate policy.

Musk, a pro-populist thorn in the EU’s side: Concerns grow over ‘foreign interference’

He has called the German chancellor an “incompetent idiot” and the countryโ€™s president an “anti-democratic tyrant”.ย Perhaps such invective would not matter if Elon Musk did not have the influence that he does. But Europe is a key market for the tech b…

In Norway, nearly all new cars sold in 2024 were fully electric

Fully electric cars account for more than 28% of all cars driven in the Nordic country as of December, according to Public Road Administration data.
The post In Norway, nearly all new cars sold in 2024 were fully electric appeared first on Euractiv.

To ban or not to ban? This is not the question

Recognising sustainable fuels alongside electrification accelerates carbon reductions, supports industry compliance and ensures affordable clean mobility for all

Trump 2.0 will hurt planet, open door for Americaโ€™s green rivals: EU climate chief

In an interview with POLITICO, Teresa Ribera said Donald Trumpโ€™s expected climate withdrawal presents an opportunity for others to boost their clean industries.

Amid Stellantis jitters and a secular crisis, the French automotive industry is fearing for its survival

The French automotive industry is in crisis, weakened by a sluggish economy, competition from China and the transition to electric vehicles initiated by the European Commission. As a result, redundancy plans are on the increase.
The post Amid Stellan…

EPP: Commission should present proposal on relieving car industry from fines โ€˜ASAPโ€™

The call comes as industry says they are “running out of time” to avoid fines for non-compliance with EU CO2 rules.
The post EPP: Commission should present proposal on relieving car industry from fines ‘ASAP’ appeared first on Euractiv.

German lithium plant hopes to turbo-charge Europeโ€™s EV makers

Vulcan Energy says its new plant west of Frankfurt, now in its pilot phase, plans to soon produce lithium for batteries used by auto manufacturers including Volkswagen, Renault and Stellantis.

Trumpโ€™s return provokes worry, not shock, at world climate talks

Beneath the brave words at the president-electโ€™s victory were real worries that action will stall without the United States.

Trumpโ€™s in. Hereโ€™s what it means for Europe.

From energy and trade to finance and defense, hereโ€™s how Donald Trumpโ€™s second presidency will impact EU policy.

China complains to Prague about EU duties on EVs and asks for help

Beijing has made it clear that it does not accept Brussels’ decision against Chinese carmakers.

Greeceโ€™s commissioner hearing: Apostolos Tzitzikostas faces tough questions in bid for transport gig โ€” live updates

The transport file will have to deal with tricky issues like the 2035 phaseout of combustion engine cars and efforts to make flying green.

US and China tensions could herald new troubles for Europeโ€™s economy, Volkswagenโ€™s woes

โ€œI think this will not stop with Volkswagen, [and] it will also not stop with Germany,โ€ said Carsten Brzeski, head of macro at ING Research.

Muskโ€™s Tesla backs California electric-car rules opposed by Trump

As Republicans claim Californiaโ€™s program will raise gas prices, the man who is single-handedly going to the mat for the biggest Republican in America is arguing the policy is good for his car company.

Audi Brussels to close in early 2025, signaling deepening VW crisis

Automaker is still in talks with a potential buyer for the plant.

EU adopts extra tariffs of up to 35.3% on China-made electric cars

The Commission said last week “significant remaining gaps” needed to be addressed after the EU executive’s Vice President and trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis and China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao engaged in the eighth round of talks.

China wonโ€™t like the sound of commissioner hearings. Hereโ€™s why.

China will be everywhere in the EU’s policymaking machinery for the next five years. Expect more turbulence ahead.

EU-China electric car consultations in pipeline as tariffs loom [Advocacy Lab Content]

The European Union and China have agreed to further engage in technical consultations regarding battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in a bid to avoid trade tensions as potential tariffs loom.

โ€˜EV shockโ€™ splitting Europe into two camps, IMF chief economist warns

Under the tariff scenario, “equilibrium effects” are going in the the direction of “either a change in the real exchange rate or a loss of competitiveness in other industries,โ€ IMF’s Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said.

The Greensโ€™ dilemma

Winning elections isnโ€™t just about having the right message, itโ€™s about having a message that resonates with people’s daily concerns.

This possible Trump adviser says electric cars, walkable cities and even talking about climate change are harmful

Former Ambassador Carla Sands focuses on energy issues at the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned think tank.

China hits back at EU over electric car tariffs: How bad could the trade dispute get?

European Union member states have narrowly backed import duties on Chinese-made electric cars, over what the EU considers to be unfair competition. Tariffsย of up to 45 percent are set to be imposed from next month for five years. Chinese carmakers hav…

WTO revamp needed to tackle โ€˜root causesโ€™ of Chinaโ€™s distortions, Commission official says

โ€œIf you cannot address the root causes, you will have to address the problem where necessary at the border,” the official said.

Chinese carmakers hold technological edge over European competitors, EU trade commissioner says

“While European industry has technological excellence in many aspects, Chinese car manufacturers enjoy technological advantages on batteries, software, infotainment systems and development time,” EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said.

Musk the surrogate: The tech titan will hit the campaign trail for Trump

Those close to Musk say his primary focus is on Pennsylvania.

Italy is all smoke and no roast on CO2 car emissions review

Rome claims to have the support of member countries for an earlier review of the policy, but EU diplomats tell a different story.

EU member states should endorse tariffs on Chinese EVs or risk undermining European interests and agency

EU member states should vote in favour of imposing definitive trade tariffs on China-made electric vehicles on Friday (4 October), as China will never take seriously a Europe that can be divided and conquered by waving a stick at fearful member states,…

Macron and Scholz differ on tariffs on Chinese electronic vehicles

Amid a context of EU Commission plans for import duties on Chinese electric cars, France’s Emmanuel Macron voiced support for the tariffs, whereas Germany’s Olaf Scholz called for ‘negotiations’ with China.

China and EU seek to avoid trade war with talks on minimum EV prices

Negotiations on electric-vehicle duties run into overtime after failing to reach a resolution last week.

Biden on his climate legacy: โ€˜We did itโ€™

The president celebrated his environmental successes and took aim at former President Donald Trump.

Mission Impossible: Germanyโ€™s bid to kill EU duties on Chinese EVs

Germany has one last chance to overturn the tariffs at a vote by member countries. But getting the required blocking majority looks to be out of reach โ€” and would be without precedent.

German economy minister set to discuss getting car industry back on track

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) will have little time on Monday (23 September) to digest the results of the third round of local elections as he prepares for talks with car sector leaders on getting the countryโ€™s largest industry back on…

Driving on empty: The German government has few options to help an ailing car industry

Economy Minister Robert Habeck will meet with carmakers โ€”ย but he has few weapons to stave off a car industry crisis.

Car industry calls for shift in EU emissions targets amid slowing EV sales

Automotive lobby group warns โ€˜multibillion-euro finesโ€™ will punish manufacturers without relaxation of rulesEuropeโ€™s car industry has called for the relaxation of EU emissions targets after sales of electric cars stalled further in August, adding to gr…

Chinese trade boss comes to Brussels on Donโ€™t Tax My Car tour

Whistle-stop tour of European capitals by Wang Wentao could end in a tough gig when he meets EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis.

Norway: electric cars outnumber petrol for first time in โ€˜historic milestoneโ€™

Nordic country, paradoxically a major oil producer, has set target for all new cars sold to be zero emissionElectric cars now outnumber petrol cars in Norway for the first time, an industry organisation has said, a world first that puts the country on …

EU Commission rebuffs car industry calls to delay CO2 targets

The European Commission pushed back against calls by automakers to postpone the 2025 CO2 reduction targets for cars, arguing that carmakers had enough time to prepare.

Volkswagen is the anti-Tesla and China is to blame

The German carmaker faces a triple threat from China, a lagging EV transition and labor worries.

We donโ€™t want your EVs, Brazil tells EU as trade talks hit crunch time

Attempt to fend off influx of Chinese electric vehicles puts chances of EU-Mercosur trade accord at the November G20 summit in doubt.

Trump could turn Elon Musk into an American oligarch

Muskโ€™s potential foray into government would represent a striking development for the billionaire.

Volkswagenโ€™s week from hell risks getting worse

The carmaker’s executives are locked in a stalemate with workers as the company’s future hangs in the balance.

Donโ€™t expect Britain to copy EU and American tariffs on Chinese cars

The UK is mulling an alternative strategy to its allies that could lead to a surge of imports of Chinese EVs.

The Media Mogul and the President: A Cautionary Tale for Elon Musk

Musk isnโ€™t the first media magnate to fall in love with a politician. See: The fallout over the bromance between Henry Luce and Dwight Eisenhower.

Italian government ramps up pressure on carmaker Stellantis

Industry Minister Adolfo Urso confirmed the government is courting Chinese carmakers.

Electric cars: The EU’s China headache

Brussels is right to remain firm on the challenge posed by China’s overproduction of electric vehicles. But it’s necessary to find satisfactory long-term solutions for European manufacturers, without slowing down the green transition.

France needs to be wary of Chinaโ€™s influence in New Caledonia, report says

Island territory’s transition to greater autonomy “must include discussions” on defense against external threats, a scholar says.

EU plans 36% tariff on Chinese EVs, with lower duty for Tesla

The European Commission said Tuesday it plans to slap five-year import duties on Chinese electric cars, unless Beijing can offer an alternative solution to the trade row over state subsidies.

Meloniโ€™s head-on collision with Italyโ€™s only carmaker

The prime minister is pressing the heir of the once mighty Fiat to make more cars in Italy.

Belgian bankruptcy dents Europeโ€™s microchip dreams

Concerns about Chinese ownership impacted government’s thinking to keep microchips factory afloat.

Trump embraces Musk and his electric vehicles โ€” but not Bidenโ€™s rules

Trumpโ€™s recent change in tone reflects a softening in rhetoric about EVs on the campaign trail.

Musk might be the only person Trump listens to on climate

The billionaire Tesla CEO has Trumpโ€™s ear. Hereโ€™s what he might tell the former president about rising temperatures, clean energy and making money.

Huge lithium-mining protest triggers crisis meeting in Serbia

Environmental activists fear the project will pollute land and water in Serbia’s western Jadar region.

Trump announces โ€˜major interviewโ€™ with Elon Musk

Musk endorsed Trump last month but has pledged he won’t donate to his campaign.

Trump vs. Bidenโ€™s historic climate agenda

President Joe Biden may no longer be on the 2024 ballot โ€” but his legacy is. And former President Donald Trump would have multiple tools to thwart his ambitions on energy, infrastructure and climate change.

Scholz and ล efฤoviฤ ink lithium deal with Serbia amid environmental concerns

The agreement would benefit carmakers like Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis, but is deeply unpopular in the country.

โ€˜Unfair competitionโ€™: EU announces tariffs on Chinese electric cars

The EU has long talked about unfair competition from China. After a nine-month probe, Brussels announced additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, establishing that those cars have benefited heavily from โ€œunfair subsidiesโ€, which pose a threat …

German pressure on EU-China trade outcomes piles up as Commission tariffs kick in

Pressure from German negotiators to repeal proposed tariffs on Chinese electric cars is set to intensify in the coming weeks after the Commission confirmed on Thursday (4 July) that provisional duties kick in from Friday, pending final approval from th…

EU firms up duties on Chinese EVs, skirting Berlinโ€™s pressure

By cementing the duties, Brussels is holding its ground against Chinese โ€”ย and German โ€”ย opposition.

Chinaโ€™s Xi greets EU Council president-elect ahead of EV tariffs taking effect

China’s President Xi Jinping made a congratulatory call on Thursday (4 July) to incoming European Council President Antonio Costa, Chinese state media said, a few hours before European Commission curbs on Chinese electric cars are scheduled to take eff…

One day before application, German car lobby urges EU to drop tariffs against China

One day before the preliminary application of tariffs on electric cars from China, due on Thursday (4 July), Germanyโ€™s main car industry lobby VDA called on the EU to pull back on the tariffs, arguing that they will do more harm than good.

Starmer will have to walk a US-China tightrope

There’s already some discord between the two countries when it comes to China, but there are areas where they could work on similar approaches.

Precious rare earth metals belong to the state, China declares

Beijing’s hold on the coveted resources has long been seen as a threat to Western clean power and tech supply chains.

Hungary is flirting with China โ€” at what cost to the EU?

Budapestโ€™s friendly ties with Beijing run contrary to Brusselsโ€™ de-risking efforts.

Russian ties and cheap tech: G7 leaders unequivocal in criticism of China

Concerns set out over supply of materials with military applications, and impact of subsidies on global marketChinaโ€™s role in providing assistance to Russia in its war against Ukraine, and its โ€œharmful overcapacityโ€ in the production of cheap goods, ha…

G7 leaders to issue strong warning against China trade practices

The G7 leaders also hardened their tone against Beijing over its support of Russia and called on China to โ€œcease the transfer of dual-use materials.”

EU threatens new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles

The European Union said this week it would slap additional tariffs of up to 38 percent on Chinese electric cars from next month after an anti-subsidy probe. Beijing said Thursday that it “reserves the right” to file a case with the World Trade Organiz…

German car industry, government react against EU EV tariffs as BMW faces 21% dutyย 

The German car industry association VDA and senior government ministers criticised the EUโ€™s preliminary tariffs on China-made electric cars announced today (12 June), which will also hit European companies producing in China, such as BMW and Dacia.ย 

EU shocks China with EV duties of up to 38 percent

Beijing has threatened to retaliate against European aviation, farmers and spirits makers if Brussels targets its electric vehicle makers with punitive tariffs.

BREAKING NEWS: EU Commission announces preliminary tariffs up to 38% on Chinese EVs

The EU will put additional tariffs on electric cars produced in China, the European Commission announced on Wednesday (12 June), as preliminary result of a anti-subsidy investigation showed prices being distorted by Chinese state support.

EU tariffs on Chinese EVs popular with industry, but Chinaโ€™s trade chamber warns against implications

With the EU expected to announce preliminary tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles on Wednesday (12 June), most European industry representatives look forward to the move, except the car industry itself.

A Thought Leadership conversation with รngeles Romo, Director of SQM Lithium Ventures. [Advocacy Lab Content]

Lithium is a key component in the manufacturing of batteries for electric cars and was recently added to the EUโ€™s list of critical raw materials considered essential for the manufacturing of electric car batteries, mobile phones, and laptop computers.

Ukraine is a dividing line in European election that centrists hope to exploit

With populists on the left and right winning support across Europe, moderates have found a single issue of their own to campaign onCampaigning in Europe comes easily to populists but less so to centrists. A single word printed in large letters โ€“ โ€œdiese…

German Minister Wissing: Tariffs on Chinese cars โ€˜wrong approachโ€™

Putting up tariffs on Chinese electric cars to protect the European industry was the wrong approach, German liberal Transport Minister Volker Wissing told Euractiv in an interview, promoting international competition.