"Electric mobility is undoubtedly the most effective 'tool' from a decarbonisation perspective: that is why it is the central element in our CO2 strategy." Herbert Diess, ceo of the Volkswagen Group, explains the company's vision in this way, and underlines how the key to achieving the goal lies in offering a wide range of electric models in the near future — "the most extensive electric offensive in the history of the automotive industry," a press release clarifies. The German group announced several months ago investments of 30 billion euros in favour of electric mobility by 2023. An imposing financial effort that — if confirmed even after the heavy consequences the coronavirus emergency could have on the global automotive industry — will open a new chapter in the long-term future of the German company, today the world's leading manufacturer.

Electric cars as a path to meeting climate targets

Among the reasons for the strong commitment to electric mobility, the German manufacturer cites the Paris Agreement, the document signed by the 195 countries that took part in the United Nations World Climate Conference (Cop 21), in December 2015. A document that, among its many points, identified "decarbonisation" and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (starting with CO2) as among the most urgent necessities in the fight against global warming. An objective that is increasingly relevant and which, at least in the area of transport, the Volkswagen Group believes can only be achieved by bringing a high percentage of electric vehicles to market; among the first flagship models of the VW strategy is the ID.3, the first electric car (already bookable online) to make use of the .

Electric mobility, government emissions policies

Electric mobility is thus identified by the German group as a fundamental tool for meeting, by 2020, the fleet average emissions targets set by the European Union at 95 g/km. These are pre-pandemic targets, which many analysts consider liable to exemptions or revisions. China, for example — today the main market for the automotive sector and a key player in e-mobility (it absorbs more than half of all electric cars sold worldwide) — could, as reported by Reuters at the beginning of April, ease its emissions regulations specifically to support carmakers. And like China, other countries could follow with similar initiatives. But one fact remains: electric mobility is still the most widely recognised path to lowering transport emissions and, if everything is confirmed (by 2030 the emissions cap is due to fall by a further 37.5 per cent), manufacturers that exceed the prescribed limits could face heavy penalties.