Merkel renews call for European battery cell production

German chancellor Angela Merkel wants to make battery cell production a “strategic European development”, she said during a speech at an event on e-mobility in Berlin. “Someone like me, who once studied physics, is incredibly sad that we cannot produce battery cells in the country of the founding fathers of electrochemistry and that the whole of Europe cannot do that either.” In this regard, Europe is still dependent on other parts of the world. “I am not sure whether it’s a good idea to only be dependent on China or Asia,” she said and assured that Germany will be prepared to participate in a European alliance. Another concern about dependency regards the “entire digital infrastructure”, she said, according to the report: “Two of the key value-adding features of the future car are no longer in the sole hands of Germany. This means that there is currently no closed value chain.”

For background, read the CLEW article Chinese-German battery cell deal key step for mobility transition.