"Energy storage and batteries are key to the future challenges of electric mobility, and Europe has set itself the target of increasing its market share from 3% to 25% over the next 7 years to ensure its competitiveness". This is one of the main conclusions of the round table discussion which, organised by CIC energiGUNE, was held this morning in the Ficoba Exhibition Centre in Irún, as part of the "Go Mobility" trade fair which brings together the key players in southern Europe in the field of electric and sustainable mobility. The session was chaired by Nuria Gisbert, General Manager of CIC energiGUNE, a member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance -BRTA.

Under the title "Energy storage and batteries, opportunities for Europe in the field of electric mobility", government representatives and members of the business community have analysed the opportunities that have opened up in the sector since European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič launched in 2017 the Europe-wide strategic plan to promote the development of battery technology and industry, which in turn has given rise to initiatives such as "Batteries Europe" and the European Battery Alliance.

Those taking part in the round table discussion were Estibaliz Hernáez, Deputy Minister of Technology, Innovation and Competitiveness of the Basque Government; Mikel Lasa, CEO of KIC Innoenergy-Iberia, the European support initiative for innovation in sustainable energy; Joseba Arza, Director General of Ingeteam R&D Europe; Txomin Nieva, Product Development Manager at CAF Power & Automation; and Idoia Urdampilleta, Head of Energy Materials Unit at Cidetec Energy Storage. All the panel members agreed on the need to seize the moment to position the Basque ecosystem firmly on the map of battery development for the electric vehicle of the future.

Furthermore, the speakers once again highlighted the fact that Europe has already taken a series of measures to build up a battery value chain on the continent, covering raw material extraction, cell production, battery pack production and reuse and recycling. Prior to the round table itself, the participants presented the activities of their companies and research centres, and the Basque Government outlined its vision of Basque support policies.