There’s mixed news for BEVs coming out of Germany. We’ve seen the first Tesla Model Ys produced by Tesla’s new Gigafactory in Brandenburg,. Meanwhile, a decision has been made by some European governments, including Germany, to drastically cut energy imports from Russia. Germany gets 50% of its natural gas from Russia, so there is a risk of major disruptions to the German manufacturing economy, since there are no viable substitute gas suppliers who can quickly make up the difference.
. When the gas supply gets cut in half, by government leaders deciding to turn off the Russian gas taps, in the coming weeks and months, German household energy needs get priority. Industrial energy needs areOne of the political leaders in Brandenburg’s parliament, Benjamin Raschke, has said that “whether Putin turns off the gas tap, or the gas stop comes from the German side, then hospitals and schools will have high priority,” as reported by local news outlet, the.
This would obviously spell disaster for the German economy, the industrial heart of Europe. The idea of cutting off Russian energy imports seems to be — as— motivated by the desire to wage “all-out economic and financial war” on Russia. However, Russia itself is self-sufficient for economic essentials like food and energy. In Europe, pretty much only Norway is self-sufficient for most of its energy needs.
There’s plenty of uncertainty at the moment. Obviously, with fuel prices going up steeply, the average consumer in Germany who still has the economic ability and desire to buy a new car in the months ahead will be considering BEVs more than they were previously. BEV demand relative to ICE demand will thus increase further. What will happen to BEV supply is a big unknown at this stage, save for the possibility outlined above for Tesla’s new Gigafactory.
What are your thoughts on Germany’s auto market prospects for 2022? Please join in the discussion below.
Can Tesla add solar panels to the plant’s roof and windmills around the property? Can Elon negotiate a power line to get power from offshore wind and set up a battery array there this month?
Right now Europe is paying Russia billions of dollars a month to fund its genocide in Ukraine. Focusing on Russia’s self-sufficiency is willfully ignorant.