As EU politicians debate further weakening the bloc’s 2035 zero-emission car target, new analysis reveals Europe’s e-mobility industry has already committed nearly €200 billion to electric vehicles, batteries, and charging infrastructure – locking in one of the largest industrial transformations in decades.
The report, published today by New Automotive, shows EV investment is scaling up across Europe, cutting the bloc’s oil dependence and narrowing the gap with China. Yet, there is a growing disconnect between industrial momentum and policy signals, where pressure to dilute the 2035 zero-emission car target casts doubt on the long-term outlook for Europe’s EV market.
The report maps €60 billion in new and retooled automotive plants, €109 billion in batteries and materials, and up to €46 billion in public charging infrastructure. When private charging and EV-specific components are included, Europe’s total EV-related investment well exceeds €200 billion.
Chris Heron, Secretary General, E-Mobility Europe, said, “Europe’s EV industries are investing at scale. Political backtracking and constant uncertainty are becoming a direct threat to investment. Short-term flexibilities to the EU’s CO₂ framework are under discussion, but they cannot come at the expense of long-term investment certainty. Europe needs to deliver its full €200 billion investment pipeline to compete globally – and that means maintaining confidence.”
These investments support more than 150,000 jobs, with a further 300,000 jobs expected if all announced projects are fully realised.
Strikingly, many of the EU Member States opposing the 2035 car CO₂ target stand to benefit most from this EV investment wave. More than half of tracked investment is concentrated in Germany, Italy and Central and Eastern Europe – regions that have formally opposed the EU’s 2035 cars and vans framework. France and Spain stand-out as other major beneficiaries.
There is a growing tension at the heart of Europe’s transport transition. Investors in batteries and charging depend on scale and policy certainty, while some carmakers and suppliers are calling for slower timelines amid rising competitive pressure. New entrants – notably from China – are well positioned to capitalize on any hesitation.
The report warns Europe must anchor this investment to secure its industrial base, and establish a globally competitive position in clean mobility. Without it, a significant share of this new economic value risks being delayed, underutilised, or realised outside Europe.
Ben Nelmes, CEO, New Automotive, added, “Europe has made enormous progress in building a domestic EV ecosystem, with investment flowing into regions that stand to benefit most from the transition. Maintaining a clear and consistent policy framework will be essential to sustaining that momentum.”
