Slovenia earmarks €200m for zero emission automotive tech

The Slovenian Automotive Cluster’s project Mission GREMO, which is aimed at the green and digital transformation of the automotive industry, is one of the key development projects for the entire economy, according to Prime Minister Robert Golob.

The participants in GREMO want to increase the revenues of the Slovenian automotive industry to EUR 7.8 billion by 2030 (last year EUR 5.1 billion), while the value added per employee is expected to rise to EUR 90,000 (last year EUR 60,000). “This means that practically all projects within GREMO will be based on well over EUR 100,000 of value added per employee,” Seljak pointed out.

Prime Minister Golob cited the Government’s participation in the GREMO Mission as the best proof that the Government is very serious about investing in innovation. “Innovation in those areas where Slovenia is the best and can achieve the highest added value. By increasing added value and employment, we are also raising the standard on which the whole of society is based,” he said.

The Slovenian automotive industry established Mission GREMO (GREen MObility) in 2021 as a commitment to green and digital transformation by 2030. As Iztok Seljak, CEO of Hidria Holding and project coordinator, pointed out at today’s strategic development conference in Ljubljana, the Slovenian automotive industry is becoming a centre for the development of new technologies for green and sustainable mobility in Europe.

“The transition from a carbon-intensive society to a carbon-free economy of the future brings enormous changes. Some will be able to follow, others will be left behind. And we are determined to lead this change and co-create the future,” he stressed. In the field of mobility, this means large-scale electrification, which he said will require massive investment. Increased investment is already required to maintain market position, and innovation breakthroughs will require further large-scale investment.

Darko Levičar, Director of Mobility Policy at Hydrogen Europe, stressed the importance of cooperation between regulators, business and civil society for an effective green mobility transition. “When drafting European legislation, it is important to bear in mind that we are drafting it for 27 different countries,” he said.