EU puts forward ‘Made in Europe’ thresholds for EV manufacturing

The European Commission has put forward a plan to boost production of EU-made, low-carbon steel, cement and renewables in an effort to rely less on other countries.

Under the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), the Commission wants to introduce ‘Made in Europe’ thresholds, including a 70 per cent EU-content requirement for electric vehicles (EVs), with exceptions for most battery components.

This also includes mandating minimum levels of European-made steel, components, and batteries in corporate fleets under the upcoming Green Corporate Fleets proposal.

According to the Commission, the proposal will boost “resilient and decarbonised” industrial production in EU manufacturing. It claims the proposal could save millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) by 2030.

Non-EU countries with trade agreements, such as the UK and Japan, will be included in the Made in Europe plans.

Nissan had warned that it would have to close its Sunderland plant if the UK was excluded.