The Automotive and Energy Cluster Associations have signed an agreement to develop an electric vehicle in the Basque Country

The Lehendakari emphasises the "privileged position" of the Basque Country in a market "with great prospects for the future"

The Automotive and Energy Cluster Associations of the Basque Country have signed a collaboration agreement to develop an electric vehicle in the Basque Country. The Lehendakari, Patxi Lopez, has reiterated the determination of the Basque Government to lead the electric vehicle sector. He pointed out that "The alliance between the Energy and Automotive Cluster Associations represents just one more step, one more stage in our aim to promote the use of electric cars in the Basque Country and to establish and foster this innovating and sustainable system of mobility".

The Lehendakari, Patxi Lopez, has guaranteed the "support" of the Basque Government for companies in the automotive and energy sectors that are working on the development of the electric vehicle in the Basque Country. Lopez demonstrated in this way that he backs the "major agreement" reached by both Cluster Associations, which "furthers the aim of the Basque Country to be leader in the field of electric cars". He emphasised that "The alliance between the Energy and Automotive Cluster Associations represents just one more step, one more stage in our aim to promote the use of electric cars in the Basque Country and to establish and promote this innovating and sustainable system of mobility".

Within the framework of the informal meeting of Competitiveness Ministers, the Energy and Automotive Cluster Associations of the Basque Country have signed a collaboration agreement to develop an electric vehicle in the Basque Country. The meeting took place in the Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastian and was attended by the Lehendakari, Patxi Lopez, the Industry Minster, Bernabe Unda, the presidents of the Energy and Automotive Cluster Associations, Josu Jon Imaz and Julian Hernando, the Minister of Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia, and the Industry Minister, Miguel Sebastian.

In his speech the Lehendakari recalled that since his party took control of the Basque Government, a number of measures have been taken to ensure its leadership on international markets. The agreement between the government and REPSOL in October for the joint development of an electric vehicle charging point network in the Basque Country and the agreement between the Basque Government and Mercedes to manufacture electric vehicles at this company's factory in Vitoria-Gasteiz, are examples of the efforts being made by the Basque Government to place the Basque Country "in a privileged position and to be a reference model in a market of great potential for the future".

Lopez called on companies in both sectors to make an "effort" to join forces and "capabilities", and to use this agreement as the basis for the development of this project by appealing for a sense of "co-responsibility at all levels of Basque society" and to make "progress towards this new economic model based on innovation and knowledge". The Lehendakari went on to point out that "The agreement you have signed today is an indication of your commitment to the future of your companies and also to the future of our country. It also demonstrates that you are willing to base that future on the solid foundations of technological innovation, the internationalisation of products and inter-company collaboration".