European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a significant initiative, dubbed the 'E-car' project, aimed at making electric vehicle adoption more accessible across the continent. Unveiled during her State of the Union address on September 10, 2025, the plan focuses on introducing a new line of affordable electric vehicles designed and manufactured within Europe.
The initiative seeks to build upon Europe's established heritage of producing compact and economical cars, with the Commission aiming to ensure that the transition to electric mobility is both environmentally sound and economically viable for all European citizens. This strategic move comes as the European automotive sector faces challenges including rising production costs, evolving consumer demand, and increasing global competition. The average price of EVs in Europe has risen, from below €30,000 in 2021 to over €40,000 by early 2024, partly due to manufacturers prioritizing higher-margin premium models.
The 'E-car' initiative is designed to counter this trend by introducing approximately ten new affordable, mass-market EV models made in Europe, starting from 2025. President von der Leyen emphasized the vision of an 'E-car' that is "economical – affordable for people" and "European – built here in Europe, with European supply chains," stating, "We must make the transition to electric vehicles clean, affordable, and accessible." This aligns with broader EU strategies to achieve a 90% cut in transport emissions by 2050 and to have at least 30 million zero-emission cars in operation by 2030.
The 'E-car' project is part of a larger effort to bolster the European automotive industry, which includes a 'Battery Booster' program aimed at strengthening the continent's battery supply chain. This comprehensive approach seeks to ensure Europe not only produces competitive electric vehicles but also secures critical components for their manufacture, thereby enhancing its independence and economic resilience in the clean technology sector.