The electric car is an opportunity for European industry. Its introduction entails the development of new technologies, innovative activities, the generation of added value, the creation of quality employment, possibilities to increase exports, improving efficiency and energy savings, controlling CO2 emissions and reducing dependency on oil and oil derivatives.

From our point of view, EU institutions should lead the introduction of the electric vehicle and in this informal meeting of ministers we have presented a document for discussion to all Member States in which we describe the main implications and challenges that must be confronted for the large-scale implementation of the electric vehicle. We are asking EU countries to express their opinion with a view to creating an internal discussion that results in the creation of a common strategy by the European Commission, which is the institution which must carry out this task.

2. What will be the working dynamic of the informal meeting?

We have prepared three work sessions, two of them led by experts in the affected business sectors, to analyse the electric vehicle from all angles. First, we will look at the implications from the viewpoint of industry in a session where the speakers will be from the main sectors involved: energy, car manufacturers and technology.

This will be followed by a session for institutions, from the Spanish Parliament through to the European Commission, including Barcelona City Council, one of the Spanish cities that is developing a pilot scheme to introduce the electric vehicle (MOVELE Project).

Finally, the third general session is reserved for the ministers of all member countries to express their opinions and give their views on various aspects related to the electric vehicle. As this is an informal meeting, no document will be approved, but the Spanish Presidency has prepared a document to encourage discussion and suggest, if suitable, a series of conclusions to be sent to the Community executive.

3. How will the Spanish Presidency of the European Union promote a common electric vehicle strategy? What agreements does it hope to reach?

The Presidency wishes to give the electric vehicle a leading role. This informal meeting is the first example. It has only one subject, the electric vehicle, something which has never happened before. We believe that in an initial stage of development of this type of vehicle, the first thing that has to be done is to encourage discussion and present the challenges that Europe must face together to gain a competitive advantage in this sector.

We are confident that our perception will be shared by the rest of the Member States and EU institutions and we hope that the European Commission will take note and adopt a common strategy which can be discussed in the Council of Ministers in May.