• Opel and Vauxhall will have an electric version in each model of their ranges
• We must carefully analyze the generalization of electrical
• PSA has already agreed to the construction of a factory in Algeria

Carlos Tavares, the president of the PSA Group, has sent a signal of attention to the public authorities regarding the risk that the car is running because of the attacks that he continually receives from him, in the case of an industrial sector that generates exports in the EU. value of 135,400 million euros per year; 395,700 million in tax revenue for the member states and employs 12.6 million people, 5.7% of the region’s population.

At a time when the consortium he is leading began the process of integration of Opel and Vauxhall, acquired last spring, the Portuguese leader claims that the sector should take the reins in the search for solutions to the problems caused by the car itself.

“We are aware that it is responsible for 13% of the emissions and it is an important proportion that we must reduce, but let us do it, let the 150,000 to 200,000 engineers that the sector employs work in the world. able to choose more valid solutions, as has always happened and, in particular, in recent years, but not to impose technical alternatives on us “. This, in clear reference to the push that the EU wants to give the electric car.

It is not that Tavares and his group reject this technology, but they do consider that the consequences of its generalization must be carefully analyzed. For example, in what refers to the production of energy. The fear is that the total emission track – from the moment it is produced until the car consumes it and that it is the realistic way to measure it – is superior to that of a car with an internal combustion engine. In fact, in countries where the mix of energy comes mostly from coal plants, this track is larger in an electric than in a gasoline or diesel car.

Caution with electric

From PSA indicate that it is not prepared to assume the increase of the demand of electricity that would suppose an important park of cars of this type; nor is there security of supply of certain raw materials, such as lithium or cadmium for the production of batteries, elements of vital importance that will also create a recycling problem at the end of their useful journey.

Tavares made these criticisms despite the fact that in the Opel and Vauxhall recovery plan, each model of its ranges is expected to have an electrified version. From PSA explain that, in the short term, is the only solution for these brands can meet the limits of CO2 emissions that have been approved for 2025 and 2030.

On the other hand, the PSA Group also celebrated yesterday the end of negotiations for the construction of a factory in Algeria, a country in which imports of cars open and close depending on the trade balance and economic situation. Therefore, to be able to take advantage of its constant potential, of about 800,000 units per year, it is necessary to have a factory there.

The PSA Group has established a partnership with three local companies – Condor Electronics, Palpa Pro and Entreprise Nationale de Production de Machines-Outils (PMO) – in which it holds a 49% stake. The factory, in Oran, close to Renault, will take advantage of the suppliers already installed in the area. It will start operating at the end of 2018.

Black numbers in Emov

The car-sharing business that PSA has in Madrid with Eysa (which has 51% of the capital) has managed to bring benefits for the first time in the month of October, and therefore, is firmly on track to be profitable by 2018. The company has 600 electric cars and has 150,000 users in the capital.

The WORLD – SERGIO PICCIONE – Paris – Nov 16 2017 (Translation Soft)