Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

ELECTRIC CARS

VW seals 10-year lithium deal for electric cars

German car behemoth Volkswagen said on Friday it had secured 10 years' worth of lithium for electric car batteries from Chinese manufacturer Ganfeng, ensuring supply of a key ingredient for the vital components.

Published: 6 April 2019 11:13 CEST

VW seals 10-year lithium deal for electric cars

An all-electric Volkswagen Vizzion concept car displayed during the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party congress in Hamburg. Photo: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

The two firms “signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on long-term lithium supplies for battery cells,” VW said in a statement, although it did not reveal the financial terms of the deal.

“Volkswagen is thus already securing a significant share of its lithium requirement,” the Wolfsburg-based group added.

With harsh EU emissions limits set to bite from next year and toughen further by 2030, the sprawling 12-brand company plans some 70 new electric models by 2028.

As it emerges from the shadow of its painful “dieselgate” emissions cheating scandal, VW aims to sell around 22 million electric cars over the coming decade to escape fines from Brussels.

But the new electric offensive is pushing the limits of battery production. World demand for lithium is constantly growing as car companies join makers of smartphones and other electronic gadgets in clamouring for supply of the element.

Each smartphone battery contains three grammes of lithium, a laptop around 30 grammes and an electric car battery more than 20 kilogrammes.

Two hospitalized in Munich after activist crashes parachute into Euro 2020 stadium

The activist lands on the turf of the Allianz Arena. credit: dpa | Christian Charisius

The pilot flew over the pitch just before kick-off in the Group F clash with “Kick out oil” written on the canopy of his parachute.

However, when the pilot hit television cables above the pitch, it knocked his microlight off balance and he landed on the turf after clipping one of the stands, where the casualties happened.

The activist was arrested soon after landing.

A Munich police spokesman told AFP that at least two people suffered head injuries and “both had to be taken to hospital, we don’t know yet how serious the injuries are”.

The police spokesman said the activist appears to have escaped injury, but “we are considering various criminal charges. Munich police has zero understanding for political actions that put lives at risk”.

UEFA also slammed the botched stunt.

“This inconsiderate act – which could have had very serious consequences for a huge number of people attending – caused injuries to several people attending the game who are now in hospital and law authorities will take the necessary action,” European football’s governing body said in a statement.

The parachutist above the stadium. Photo: dpa | Matthias Balk

“The staging of the match was fortunately not impacted by such a reckless and dangerous action, but several people were injured nonetheless.”

The stunt was a protest against German car manufacturer Volkswagen, one of the sponsors of the European Championship, Greenpeace explained in a Twitter post.

“UEFA and its partners are fully committed to a sustainable Euro 2020 tournament and many initiatives have been implemented to offset carbon emissions,” said UEFA.

Greenpeace said they regretted any harm caused.

“This protest was never intended to disrupt the game or hurt people,” read a Twitter post on Greenpeace’s official German account.

“We hope that everyone is OK and that no one was seriously injured. Greenpeace actions are always peaceful and non-violent.”

“Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan.”

READ MORE: Climate activists rage as Germany opts for drawn-out coal exit

Url copied to clipboard!