We face the new year with optimism and with our sights set on continuing the unstoppable transformation towards mobility with zero emissions, which we want and deserve. This new year will be decisive and crucial for our country, since the national political map will inevitably be altered. With the holding of municipal, regional and, of course, national elections, the citizens, with their votes, will define the path and path to follow, making a move, thus, on a divergent political, economic and social board.
Neither this electoral period nor the consequent political disputes should be a delay for decision making. The automotive industry and the mobility sector as a whole are making heavy investments to decarbonise transport, its services and its manufacturing lines to accelerate towards carbon neutrality. Climate change cannot afford to lose another year, for not making decisions that are in keeping with the times, to carry out this transformation in a sustainable and non-traumatic way, taking into account the turbulent period we are going through.
One of these decisions that will affect mobility will be the entry into force of the Low Emission Zones (ZBE), which, with the regulation of Law 7/2021, of May 20, on Climate Change and Energy Transition, will transform the Traditional mobility in Spanish municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants. The sector is in favor of improving air quality in cities, and hence its commitment to strong investments, and we even share the priority for active mobility, but as long as it is also understood that any clean vehicle, public or private, It is such a viable option to be chosen by citizens, without any restriction or condition by any regulations. Because, if we “demonize” the use of the private vehicle, where is the freedom of choice for citizens? As the article is formulated, the private or company vehicle, even though it has zero emissions, seems to be excluded and, therefore, Spain will be far from a free and accessible multimodal model. The mobility law and ZBE have to be credible due to their adequate design, coherent with social reality and, obviously, they cannot be questioned by the citizens themselves.
From the group of the main automotive and vehicle associations in Spain, gathered in the Neutral in Motion Circle, we will continue, this year, to undertake the transformation towards the new mobility, that of the future, with the citizen as a central piece of our dashboard. match. In this 2023, the citizen must be heard, as well as his voice and his needs. This wants to keep moving, and in this context of crisis and possible recession, and keeping in mind the principle of “technological neutrality”, no technology that contributes to decarbonization and allows an old vehicle over 15 years old to be removed from the circulation for a new one, even used. We have a fleet that is close to an average of 14 years old, reaching 17 years in the case of motorcycles,
We must take a giant step in four clear subjects. In the first instance, the accelerated renovation of the old park, this being the most polluting by far. Secondly, in the development of the much-needed public charging infrastructure, by streamlining the procedures for its installation, which must also meet the needs of transport, with the installation of chargers for at least 150 KW, in an interoperable network in which the needs of motorcycles and light vehicles are also met. Here it is worth demanding that a clear mapping be carried out that, in addition, incorporates the forecasts to expand the connections where there are not enough capacities. As a third point, It is essential to increase the effectiveness of assistance plans for the purchase of vehicles in line with the decarbonization standards of the European Union through their processing by the different autonomous communities. For this, it is essential to go to a model that simplifies the procedures and that the user receives the aid in a timely manner and in a short space of time, previously established. And, finally, to implement a tax system that supposes a full incentive to encourage the user to purchase low-emission vehicles.
Four subjects that the sector claimed in 2022 with zero acceptance by the Executive. We cannot lose another financial year, especially when the Government has supported in Brussels the future ban on new vehicles that emit polluting gases as of January 1, 2035. An agreement to which the mobility sector is fully committed. But the sector cannot do everything. It needs the help of the entire ecosystem, and especially the Administration, to move in an orderly and non-traumatic way, without losing weight either in the industry or in employment: if companies are suffocated, they will choose other countries of the Union Union to produce its vehicles and Spain will lose its strategic position.
In 2023, in short, the pace must be accelerated with the implementation of the pending subjects indicated. If we want to be an electromobility hub, firm steps must be taken to define an inclusive, accessible and multimodal mobility model in which citizens are free to choose which vehicle they use, as long as it is clean and efficient.
Renato del Bino is the coordinator of the Neutral in Motion Circle. This article is also signed by Arturo Perez de Lucia, general director of AEDIVE; Jaime Barea, corporate director of Ganvam; Jose Lopez-Tafall, general director of Anfac; Juan Luis Barahona, executive president of Feneval; Marta Blazquez, executive vice president of Faconauto; Jose Maria Riano, general secretary of Anesdor; Jose-Martin Castro Acebes, president of AER; Jose Portilla, general director of Sernauto, and Javier Gonzalez Pereira, president of Ascabus.
