EV adoption targets are unachievable, says industry survey
- ABB Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey reveals more than half (59%) of respondents believe EV adoption targets are not achievable within regulatory timelines
- Shift to sustainable manufacturing viewed more positively – 80% say achievable, but challenging
- Automation will be critical to achieving efficiencies and deadlines
New global research commissioned by ABB Robotics and leading industry publication Automotive Manufacturing Solutions, revealed that more than half (59%) of respondents believe the shift to pure electric vehicle production is not achievable within current legislative timelines.
The respondents surveyed highlighted challenges in adapting to a new battery supply chain, concerns over high levels of capital investment required, shortages of raw materials, suitable infrastructure and lack of grid capacity.
Although 28% expressed the opinion that the deadlines were achievable, they also indicated there would be significant challenges, while 18% believed the present targets would never be met. Only 11% believed that all regional targets for EV adoption by 2030-2040 were realistic.
“The automotive industry is acutely aware of the stresses and strains involved in meeting the proposed regional timetables for reaching full EV production,” said Joerg Reger, Managing Director of ABB Robotics Automotive Business Line.
“Automation is key to making production more resilient, efficient and faster to meet these targets, which is why we’re seeing high demand for our robots that specialize in EV powertrain assembly. These solutions radically reduce build times, improve flexibility, further simplify the production process and ultimately drive down production costs.”
The survey also highlighted the challenges involved in adapting to a new battery supply chain, cited as a key barrier by 19% of respondents, while 16% had concerns over the high levels of capital investment required. Shortages of raw materials, suitable infrastructure, and lack of grid capacity were also high on the list of issues yet to be resolved.
Elsewhere, the lack of charging infrastructure was quoted as the single biggest constraint to EV adoption by more than a quarter (26%) of those surveyed, while 17% highlighted high vehicle prices as the principal barrier to EV growth.
“The survey confirms the automotive industry challenges – that manufacturing is under strain and disrupted supply chains are under considerable stress,” said Daniel Harrison, Automotive Analyst at Automotive Manufacturing Solutions. “This is likely to be the ‘new never normal’, which poses considerable challenges to how quickly the industry can transition to electrification and also wider manufacturing sustainability targets, especially during a period of great economic uncertainty. Furthermore, within that context, challenges remain in the availability and cost of labour and how quickly large workforces can be reskilled.”
Sustainable manufacturing
When questioned about delivering sustainable manufacturing, industry leaders were more positive, with 80% predicting sustainability is achievable. Only 4% felt it would not be possible.
Of those surveyed, only those in America (16%) felt that regulatory compliance was a key obstacle (compared to 7% in Europe and just 5% in Asia). However, almost a quarter (24%) of all respondents suggested that the high capital expenditure required was the primary challenge to achieving sustainable manufacturing.
The ABB survey includes close to 600 global industry experts, from vehicle manufacturers, and supplies at all levels of management, engineering and other key professionals throughout the automotive world.
Read more and download the ABB & AMS Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey and infographics here – https://new.abb.com/products/robotics/initiatives/abb-ams-automotive-manufacturing-outlook-survey
