Commissioner Hoekstra hosts the Working Group on Clean Transition under the Strategic Dialogue with the European automotive sector

On 12 February, Commissioner Hoekstra (pictured) hosted the Working Group on ‘Clean transition and decarbonisation’ as part of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Automotive Industry, which was launched by President von der Leyen on 30 January 2025. The Commissioner met with key European industry leaders, social partners, and stakeholders of the sector to discuss the transition to clean mobility – one of the most pressing challenges these days for the industry.

This transition is an opportunity for the sector to develop new markets, to innovate and to help lower the dependence on fossil fuels and its carbon footprint in our continent. However, it also poses challenges for consumers as they are still confronted with higher upfront costs of vehicles and lack of charging infrastructure. In this context, the Commissioner and participants to the Working Group will discuss together the regulatory framework, the development of infrastructure for passenger and heavy-duty vehicles (both recharging infrastructure and electricity grid), as well as measures to stimulate demand.

This Working Group is the first of the four thematic work strands to be covered by the Strategic Dialogue, which also includes groups on ‘Industrial Value Chain’; ‘Technological and Digital Innovation’; and ‘Skills and Social’. With the Strategic Dialogue, an inclusive and collaborative process was initiated to better understand and address the critical challenges facing the sector. An open public consultation on the future of the European automotive industry is already open until 13 February and the output of this consultative process and Working Group discussions will inform the EU Industrial Action Plan for the automotive sector, to be presented by Commissioner Tzitzikostas on 5 March.

The list of participants to the Clean transition and Decarbonisation Working Group is available here.

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