Touching on a myriad of different topics from manufacturing capabilities to fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) adoption, Muñoz set the ball rolling for the event, voicing his confidence in his peers and fellow industry experts to execute the shared vision. It was evident that all other parties present are aligned and ready to push ahead to make clean mobility a reality.
On-going battery electric vehicle (BEV) development and adoption were two of the most pressing themes throughout the three-day event. Data presented by keynote speaker Apostolos Petropoulos of the International Energy Association (IEA) suggests that the global BEV fleet will quadruple by 2030, although this will likely be hindered by the recent tariff wars and possible fluctuation in energy prices.
However, pushing BEVs out to the market will not be enough. Carmakers and suppliers will need a comprehensive global strategy to lower emissions and meet environmental targets. Sustainability and the circular economy, therefore, are no longer buzzwords but blueprints for operation within the automotive industry. And with the BEV market set to grow substantially, one of the primary areas of concern is ensuring a second life or recyclability of lithium-ion batteries. Engineers can only do so much here, and need help from their colleagues in the design department to ensure batteries can be part of the circular economy.
In terms of electrification, all eyes are on new players from China, many of which have cracked the formula for delivering new vehicle programmes on considerably shorter development cycles than the industry has traditionally known. Their imminent expansion in Europe, the Americas, and Asia could send shockwaves throughout the industry, the impact of which is currently unknown. Keynotes and panel discussions included experts from Xiaomi EV, Geely, and Chery—all companies with their sights set on Europe.
Recent language around artificial intelligence (AI) suggests a growing concern among the general public, with many questioning its implications for job security and the long-term future of certain roles.