The European Commission has proposed to the Council a specific one-off extension – until 31 December 2026 – of the current rules of origin for electric vehicles and batteries under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). This proposal does not affect the TCA’s wider rules of origin which will be applicable as of 2027, as planned. The Commission is also setting aside additional funding of up to €3 billion to boost the EU’s battery manufacturing industry.
The rules of origin for electric vehicles and batteries under the TCA were designed in 2020. The EU intended to incentivize investment in its battery manufacturing capacity. Circumstances not foreseen in 2020 include Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. COVID-19’s impact on supply chains is another unforeseen factor. Additionally, increased competition from new international subsidy support schemes has contributed to a situation where the scaling-up of the European battery ecosystem has been slower than initially anticipated.
Against this backdrop, the Commission has today adopted its proposal for a Council Decision. In light of the concerns raised by the European automotive, battery, and chemical industries. At the same time, the Commission reaffirms its political commitment. It also expresses strategic support to further foster battery production in the EU. The Commission will provide funding of up to €3 billion for three years. This funding will be directed to the most sustainable European battery manufacturers. This will create significant spillover effects for the entire European battery value chain. Notably, it will impact its upstream segment and support the assembly of electric vehicles in Europe.
In more detail
The Commission’s proposal is three-fold:
- A “one-off” extension of the current rules until 31 December 2026.
- A clause rendering it legally impossible for the EU-UK Partnership Council to extend this period further, thereby effectively “locking-in” rules of origin in force as of 2027.
- Specific financial incentives to boost the EU’s battery industry: in line with recent Commission efforts to strengthen the industrial dimension of the European Green Deal, the Commission will set up a dedicated instrument for the battery value chain under the Innovation Fund. This will foster faster and more cost-efficient support for the manufacturing of the most sustainable batteries in Member States. The Commission will also invite Member States to participate financially in the call for proposals, thereby benefiting from the EU-level project selection service, avoiding the fragmentation of the battery market in the EU and saving on administrative costs.
Next steps
The Council will now discuss today’s proposal. The decision by the Council will determine the EU’s position in the Partnership Council, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement’s highest decision-making body.
