There is every indication that 2021 will be remembered as the point in time when the electric vehicle (EV) revolution finally took off. Commitments to new EVs, battery manufacturing, and charging infrastructure by major auto manufacturers and governments worldwide, along with real enthusiasm on the part of increasingly educated new car buyers are making this a year to remember.

Gathering Together

On the technology side, after the confusion of 2020, digital pathways are providing new opportunities to allow scientists, engineers, marketers, and entrepreneurs to gather and learn from one another at battery and energy-centered events.  The Battery Show & EV Tech Europe Digital Days, is a three-day digital event filled with technical sessions, panels, networking opportunities, and digital sourcing, and is scheduled to take place on the 18^th through the 20^th of May.

The two-track digital conference will feature more than 50 sponsored webinars, lunch & learns, and paid conference sessions, all of which are dedicated to the future of the electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid & electric vehicle (H/EV) and addressing design challenges, raw materials, recycling, and future of Li-Ion battery production in Europe.

Digital Format

Informa, the leading B2B event organizer in charge of the show, notes that the design of this digital conference will provide a safe way for attendees to address key issues and trends affecting the advanced battery industry.  Its format will serve as a useful substitute until the battery and H/EV supply chain community can come together again in person at The Battery Show Europe in Stuttgart, an event that Informa will produce from the 30^th of  November to the 2^nd of December 2021.

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Growth in Europe

As evidenced by recent announcements by automakers and battery suppliers, the European battery market is experiencing strong growth, with changes to a newly developing supply chain requiring industry collaboration on many levels. Diego Pavia, CEO of EIT InnoEnergy, European Battery Alliance, and keynote speaker at the upcoming event said, "The European Battery Alliance has continued delivering in 2020: The regulation proposed in December anchors Europe as the reference for the next decade; 1.3 Million EVs were sold in Europe in 2020, surpassing China, with a 137% growth year on year; investment commitments in Europe north of 60B€ for the second consecutive year; non-European players moving into Europe across all the value chain. Europe is where it happens now. Let's accelerate our success story."

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An Agent For Change

Although COVID-19 dominated headlines worldwide in 2020, the deadly pandemic has also proven to be an unexpected agent for change. "COVID-19 emphasized the need to regionalize the battery supply chain in the European region in order to mitigate risks associated with a long battery supply chain, thus capitalizing on growing EV demand fully," said Rob Shelton, Informa’s group event director, The Battery Show & EV Tech Expo Europe Digital Days. "More than ever, there is a critical need for industry connection and education; we are thrilled to announce such a strong roster of speakers that will advance Europe's strategic priority."

Registration for the three-day digital event is open to attendees and press:

Kevin Clemens is a Senior Editor with Battery Technology.