We are still far from the electric tidal wave in Europe. If the media regularly focus on Norway, the Netherlands and a few other countries in the West where things are starting to take off, we quickly forget that Europe has 27 members. And some, like Spain, although not the poorest in the Old Continent, are barely reaching 5% market share in electricity. Spain where, however, 3 billion euros were invested to transform the Seat group’s Martorell factory in order to produce the Volkswagen group’s future small city cars. Skoda, Volkswagen ID.2 and of course, Cupra Raval. But if Seat SA claims to have done its “part” of the job, its boss, Wayne Griffiths, believes that the public authorities have not done theirs. And the threat now hangs over the Seat SA entity
Dependent on electric sales
Since the establishment of CO2 limits for each manufacturer in Europe (or group of manufacturers, the “pools”), the specter of fines has loomed large. But in 2025, with the lowering of the limit, the sword of Damocles is approaching the heads of certain manufacturers. The CEO of Seat SA affirms that it will take good sales of Tavascan to avoid Seat being subject to heavy fines, knowing that the Seat brand only sells thermals without any hybridization. Cars that weigh down the Spanish group’s CO2 balance.
“A reduction in CUPRA Tavascan volumes would jeopardize SEAT SA’s ability to meet European targets for reducing CO2 emissions, having to face unaffordable fines. This would mean the need to reduce planned production by a quarter of combustion vehicles in Martorell”.
Last year, Cupra sold 45,300 electric cars (in this case, Borns). The Tavascan and later Raval will be essential, both for Seat and for the Volkswagen group. But the CEO’s exit was political, since he clearly ordered the authorities to do more to help manufacturers in a sluggish market.
Colossal fines
Above all, Griffith appeals to Spanish and European decision-makers since they are accelerating the pace of deployment of terminals, which are still far too insufficient outside of a few well-served regions of Europe. And above all, place emphasis on purchasing aid which should be increased, while certain countries, such as France, are taking the opposite path in the face of an alarming budget deficit.
Remember that if specific CO2 limits are exceeded in 2025, each pool or manufacturer will risk a €95 fine per car sold, or hundreds of millions or even billions of euros for some, such as Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota/ Subaru/Mazda.
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