Europe Must Defend Its Industry to Avoid Losing the Battle against China

Posted on by Electro Man Sector

Europe has in the automotive sector one of the most important and relevant industries in the market. Manufacturers contribute large amounts of money to the public coffers, in addition to adding hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in innovation and development. All that putting down the drain if the European Union does not take action to help its industry. The battle against China begins to uneven in favor of the Asians. An international study demonstrates the need for support from the rulers so as not to endanger a main sector.

At the end 2021, the European Union took a very important step. The plans of the old continent are to transform the automobile industry from its foundations. In 2035 Europe will ban the sale of any car that is not electric, although as we know there will be some exceptions. European citizens will only be able to count on electric cars, although this important step may trigger a series of events that are difficult to resolve. This is highlighted in a report by the climate group Transport & Environment.

It is not at all strange to report on the deviation of the production of some brand. From time to time news emerges that suppose an increase of influence of the Chinese market. Many brands are choosing to decentralize the production of their electric models in order to reduce costs. In China the production is very cheap, the public bodies put many facilities to the brands to take the factories there or sign alliances with other local manufacturers. A strategy that in recent years has aroused more and more interest.

Europe seems to be suffering from a slowdown in its electricity strategy. Although the monthly figures are getting better, the estimates are not being met. The plans specified that by the end of the first half of 2022 13% of car sales would be fully electric, but at the end of June it had reached 11%. Two points less than expected that can mean a small break in sales. The crisis in Eastern Europe, the lack of components and the boom in electricity and fuel prices may be the main causes.

The weight of Chinese brands is not yet a big problem, but if Europe does not support its industry the landscape can change quickly. In the first half of 2022 only 5% of electric car sales came from Chinese brands, a small percentage, but not without concern. The study reveals that by 2025 the presence of Chinese brands would reach a market share of 18%. That means that in just three years the sales of Asian models within the territory of the European Union could quadruple.

T&E aims for stimulation in production and greater support in the transition. Tax credits, discounts and other incentives could help the European customer maintain trust in continental brands. Price is undoubtedly a determining factor. Manufacturers such as BYD, NIO or XPeng are able to offer cars with advanced technology and high performance for a significantly lower price than similar European rivals. In the future, the strategy of Chinese brands will expand the available offer, reaching segments as important as those of utility and compact.

Electic Cars: Why Should You Buy One?

Posted on by Electro Man Opinion, Technology, Tests, Tips

The emergence of the electric car in the market has arrived with force and the forecasts about their future are quite good.

Despite the doubts that it initially generated, given its multiple benefits, more and more drivers are deciding to opt for sustainable mobility. If in your case you are still not completely convinced, from here we are going to show you some key elements that will make you think seriously about your purchase.

Why buy an electric car?

One of the main advantages of buying an electric car is its absence of emissions, although we have to tell you that it is not the only one. Some of the reasons why users decide to bet on the change have to do with tax benefits, saving money, free parking and more.

From here we want to explain the five advantages linked to the electric car so that you get an approximate idea of its full potential.

1- Less pollution

Indeed, electric cars that run on batteries do not emit any polluting gases (nitrogen oxide or CO2) during the time they circulate on the road. For this reason, the General Directorate of Traffic has created the Zero Emissions label with which it intends to distinguish them from combustion cars.

The gases expelled into the atmosphere by conventional vehicles, the result of the combustion of energy, are an evil for the environment and our health. By not emitting these chemical compounds, electric cars do not need an exhaust pipe, something that significantly reduces noise pollution.

2- Price of the recharge

The difference in cost per kilometer between combustion and electric vehicles is considerable, becoming one of the main advantages that drivers contemplate when replacing their old car.

As an interesting detail, if an efficient conventional vehicle spends about € 6 per 100 kilometers, an electric car will barely spend € 1.5. This is because the price of fuel is higher compared to the price of electricity.

To the price of recharging we must also add maintenance, clearly lower in the case of electric cars. Keep in mind that they have simpler mechanics that do not require as many parts as in the case of combustion vehicles. This means that it tends to break down less frequently and that it does not need as many spare parts.

3- Zero restrictions to enter large cities

Pollution damages air quality and, therefore, the health of the inhabitants. That is why many cities have created a series of protocols to pollute less once the measurements exceed the maximum allowed.

One of the advantages of the electric car is its permissibility when it comes to circulating freely in the city without having to face any type of environmental restriction. In this way, there are specific areas through which combustion cars cannot circulate.

In the case of Madrid, for example, the area to carry it out is Madrid Central, an area of almost 5 square kilometers that includes popular neighborhoods such as Sol, Embajadores, Cortes, Universidad or Justicia. Although the downtown district may seem too large an area to make this type of restrictions, the truth is that it is very small if we take into account other European cities such as London.

In this way, only vehicles that carry a zero emissions badge can enter this area of the capital in an unlimited way, while vehicles with an ECO sticker will be able to access it for two hours.

In addition to the increase in charging stations that continues to grow and alternatives such as the portable electric car charger, which you can use wherever you go, we must highlight the free parking in SER zones (regulated parking) and exemptions in municipal taxes, two more attractions of the electric car.

4- An electric car offers smooth driving and superb performance

Compared to conventional vehicles, electric cars have a fairly smooth and quiet driving. When accelerating they offer an immediate response, so they respond better in their start-up with respect to those of combustion.

As we have mentioned before, they do not need as many parts as conventional ones, such as gearbox or transmission tunnel, hence their interior space is wider. The battery system is quite large, but being at the bottom, it does not affect the trunk and internal capacity.

5- Aid and tax advantages

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge decided to create the Moves Plan in 2019. It is a plan endowed with aid to encourage the purchase of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles with subsidies from the State. It also grants aid to install new charging points or wallbox at home.

One of the most important tax advantages with which users can benefit is the Registration Tax: having a zero emission level, they are exempt from paying it.

We hope that this post has helped you to know the advantages of an electric car in your day to day and has convinced you to replace your current vehicle with an electric one and thus move towards sustainability.

Volkswagen CEO Announces In Which Year the Brand Will Only Sell 100% Electric Cars

Posted on by Electro Man Electric Buses, News, Opinion, Tests, Viral

That Volkswagen is very focused on its electric path is no secret, but until now the German manufacturer had not given an exact date for its definitive step to electric mobility in Europe; Electro-Mobil Blog & More gives you more details in this articles.

Volkswagen has in the ID range a bet on the future. Wolfsburg have put all their eggs in the same basket and there is no turning back. Although the change they propose will be gradual, the Germans already have a specific date to make the definitive leap to electric mobility. Thomas Schaefer, recently appointed chief operating officer of Volkswagen, has confirmed that in 2033 they will only sell electric cars in Europe, two years before the official margin proposed by the European Union itself.

The truth is that no one can be taken by surprise by such an announcement since the enormous effort that Volkswagen has been making in recent years was aimed at a single purpose. Since the Volkswagen ID.3 hit the market in 2020, the brand has been directing its gaze to a segment that is beginning to dominate. Electric vehicles such as the Volkswagen ID.4 are gaining more and more followers around the world, and in Europe it has become the most popular model in the family, although within a few years everything can change.

And it will do so because the range will grow. The ID family will expand and do so quickly. Schaefer himself has warned that there will be 10 new models on the market before 2026. The access model will be the expected Volkswagen ID.1, which we have already talked about repeatedly. It has always been said that it would be below the psychological barrier of 20,000 euros, but the new figure, inflation through, will be 25,000 euros. That will be the starting point of the most affordable electric model in the ranks of Volkswagen, a high cost if we take into account that we are talking about a B segment.

Obviously it will not be the only one to present itself since after its launch there will be the presentation of a crossover of such size, the Volkswagen ID.2. The goal is to rival models such as the Peugeot e-2008 or the Opel Mokka-e. In this case, no minimum sale price has been specified, although the most logical thing is to think of figures of around 28,000 euros. Many plans on the table and many planned launches, not only in the EV range, but also in the ICE models that will correspondingly adapt to electrified formats until their complete disappearance.

The IDs will take over the range, and like the thermal cars will undergo updates and renewals. The first to undergo a facelift will be the ID.3. The compact will live next year a first renovation that in the words of the director of operations: “will make a significant and remarkable leap in terms of quality, materials and stability of the system”. Points where the ID.3 has to improve significantly, although nothing has been mentioned about an increase in autonomy or performance indices.

The other big headline from Thomas Schaefer’s interview with Reuters indicates that Volkswagen will shift its production focus from concentrating on a single model per factory to a platform thinking. That means that the Volkswagen Group will focus production on platforms and not models. For example, the ID.4 and the Škoda Enyaq, twin models that are manufactured in two different plants. This is a cost issue with which it is intended to achieve a profit margin of 8 percent by 2025.