Automakers have warned that jobs at traditional combustion engine plants will be particularly at risk and have called on the European Union to help mitigate the impact of the shift to electricity on those manufacturing workers.
The shift to electric vehicles will force drastic changes in the auto industry and require EU support for ‘reskilling’ programs to help workers prepare for a zero-emissions future, according to a report published on Tuesday.
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Platform for Electromobility, an industry group, said a report by the Boston Consulting Group showed by 2030 that European auto industry employment would decline by less than 1% from 5.7 million people today amid the transition to electric vehicles.
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But jobs for manufacturers and conventional suppliers focused on combustion engines will drop by 20% and 42%, respectively – shedding a cumulative 500,000 positions between them. Also, the employment of suppliers focused on zero-emissions technology will increase by 300,000 workers, representing a 10% increase, the study said.
The European Commission has proposed a ban on new gasoline and diesel cars effective from 2035.
Automakers have warned that jobs at traditional combustion engine plants will be particularly at risk and have called on the European Union to help mitigate the impact of the shift to electricity on those manufacturing workers.
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Platforms for electromobility said the study predicted huge job growth for the auto industry-related energy generation and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
The group said the EU, governments and companies should focus on investment in workers’ education, training, ‘upskilling’ and ‘reskilling’ to “ensure no one is left behind” as the industry continues to grow in electric vehicles. infects.
“The auto industry is very strategic for the whole of Europe, which includes a lot of people living everywhere, so it is important that the EU works on policy with member states,” Electromobility president Arne Richters told Reuters. “Reskilling and making it a strategic priority is an important point.”
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The group represents a number of organizations and corporations, including carmakers Tesla Inc., Renault and Nissan, charging company ChargePoint and US conglomerate 3M.
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