Total’s CEO Questions EU Battery Project
The head of energy giant Total SA says the company hasn’t decided whether to participate in Europe’s effort to develop its own battery industry for electric cars.
#hybrid
The head of energy giant Total SA says the company hasn’t decided whether Europe can mount a viable effort to develop its own battery industry for electric cars.

CEO Patrick Pouyanne (pictured) tells The Nikkei that the ultimate question is whether European manufacturers believe they can build batteries that compete with established producers in China, South Korea and Japan.
Battery makers from those countries currently control nearly half the global EV battery market. Several have announced plans to erect their own battery cellmaking factories in Europe.
Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard voiced a similar position about the European initiative last month. “We’re all for it,” he told a French government panel, adding that “it has to make economic sense.”
Three such consortiums are being formed in Europe. Leading the pack is a €6 billion ($6.7 billion) initiative led by Germany and France that includes a reported €1.7 billion ($1.9 billion) in government subsidies from those two countries.
RELATED CONTENT
-
On Automotive: An All Electric Edition
A look at electric vehicle-related developments, from new products to recycling old batteries.
-
On Zeekr, the Price of EVs, and Lighting Design
About Zeekr, failure, the price of EVs, lighting design, and the exceedingly attractive Karma
-
on lots of electric trucks. . .Grand Highlander. . .atomically analyzing additive. . .geometric designs. . .Dodge Hornet. . .
EVs slowdown. . .Ram’s latest in electricity. . .the Grand Highlander is. . .additive at the atomic level. . .advanced—and retro—designs. . .the Dodge Hornet. . .Rimac in reverse. . .