SEAT chief urges EU and Spanish leaders to back investment plans for batteries and EVs
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Wayne Griffiths addresses annual press conference. Photo: SEAT
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The president of Volkswagen’s Spanish carmaker, SEAT, today called for a "clear commitment” from Spanish and EU leaders to support the firm’s plans to invest in facilities for battery assembly and production of a new generation of electric vehicles.
Spain’s industry, commerce and tourism minister, Reyes Maroto, said earlier this month that the government would set up a public-private consortium – involving SEAT/VW and Spanish multinational electric utility company Iberdrola – to launch EV batteries production in the country.
But Griffiths said it was now time for national and European leaders to give a firm financial commitment to supporting the company’s electromobility agenda.
SEAT wants to manufacture electric cars in Spain starting in 2025 – and to produce more than 500,000 urban electric cars per year at its Martorell plant near Barcelona.
'Transformation'
Griffiths said: "The support of the Spanish government and the EU Commission for this cross-sectorial and nationwide plan is needed for the VW Group to be able to take the final decision on its execution.”
"We’ve drawn up the plan, we have the right partners on board and we’re generally ready to invest. This project is intended to become the driver for the transformation of the Spanish automotive industry.”
Griffiths told the company’s annual press conference at Martorell that it will launch the Cupra Tavascan in 2024 as the brand’s second 100%-electric model, following the Cupra Born at the end of this year.
Last month, World Battery News reported that Spain’s government had given the green light for a major expansion of the country’s energy storage capacity, which will include a greater reliance on batteries.
Related articles in our archive:
Spain backs batteries to support national energy storage expansion
Spain’s industry, commerce and tourism minister, Reyes Maroto, said earlier this month that the government would set up a public-private consortium – involving SEAT/VW and Spanish multinational electric utility company Iberdrola – to launch EV batteries production in the country.
But Griffiths said it was now time for national and European leaders to give a firm financial commitment to supporting the company’s electromobility agenda.
SEAT wants to manufacture electric cars in Spain starting in 2025 – and to produce more than 500,000 urban electric cars per year at its Martorell plant near Barcelona.
'Transformation'
Griffiths said: "The support of the Spanish government and the EU Commission for this cross-sectorial and nationwide plan is needed for the VW Group to be able to take the final decision on its execution.”
"We’ve drawn up the plan, we have the right partners on board and we’re generally ready to invest. This project is intended to become the driver for the transformation of the Spanish automotive industry.”
Griffiths told the company’s annual press conference at Martorell that it will launch the Cupra Tavascan in 2024 as the brand’s second 100%-electric model, following the Cupra Born at the end of this year.
Last month, World Battery News reported that Spain’s government had given the green light for a major expansion of the country’s energy storage capacity, which will include a greater reliance on batteries.
Related articles in our archive:
Spain backs batteries to support national energy storage expansion