MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Bankruptcy of Swedish manufacturer Northvolt – the crash of the ‘Airbus of batteries’ – E-001140/2025

Question for written answer  E-001140/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jordan Bardella (PfE)

The recent bankruptcy of Northvolt, which once carried Europe’s hopes in the electric vehicle battery sector, highlights Europe’s incoherence in the face of Asian dominance in the sector.

Despite massive investments of USD 15 billion, Northvolt failed to compete with Chinese giants such as CATL and BYD, which hold 37% and 13% respectively of the global battery market. This development only increases Europe’s dependence on Asian suppliers and undermines our strategic autonomy.

• 1.What lessons does the Commission draw from Northvolt’s failure to ensure the future success of European initiatives, in particular the ‘battery production recovery plan’ presented in recent weeks?
• 2.Given the industrial and strategic uncertainties surrounding electric batteries, does the Commission intend to encourage the reintroduction of hybrid engines and biofuels as part of the revision of the regulation banning the sale of new combustion-engine vehicles?

Submitted: 18.3.2025