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The French electric battery valley is located in Hauts-de-France. While China remains the undisputed leader in the sector, the United States and Europe intend to move up a gear.
More than 30 million electric vehicles will be on the road in Europe by 2030. That’s as many batteries to manufacture. China monopolizes 77% of the market, while the European Union only manufactures 14% of the batteries in the world, and only 6% for the United States. The president, Joe Biden, reacted by offering aid. “They put tens and tens of billions of dollars in subsidies to attract these investments”explains Flavien Neuvy, economist and director of the Cetelem observatory.
Thirty battery factory projects launched in Europe
In Europe, around thirty battery factory projects have been launched, including four in France: two in Dunkirk (North), one in Douai and one in Douvrin (Pas-de-Calais). France wants to secure its supplies and control prices. The battery represents up to 40% of the cost of an electric car. There remains a major problem: access to lithium, which is essential for batteries. The metal is mainly mined in Australia. Other reserves, little exploited, are in South America. China controls the market, refining 60% of the lithium.
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