“As president of Anfac, I am concerned because the aid to renew heavy vehicles ends on April 30 and there is no alternative plan in force,” warned the also president of Seat and Cupra, Wayne Griffiths, taking advantage of the forum. which the manufacturers’ association opens this Thursday to address the situation of heavy vehicles and buses in our country. Under the watchful eye of the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, the manager has demanded an alternative to the aid program for the transformation of truck and bus fleets called Plan Moves Mitma.
Griffiths has emphasized the importance of maintaining this aid to decarbonize fleets in a scenario of maximum climate demands imposed from Brussels. “Two weeks ago, the European Parliament raised climate ambition. The sector must now reduce its CO2 emissions to 90% in 2040, and to 45% in 2030, much more than the 30% planned until now. In addition, buses They must all be zero emissions by 2035,” he emphasizes, before announcing that “this is an enormous challenge for a country like Spain with so much road transport activity” and that “decarbonization cannot mean being less competitive.”
Hereu picks up the glove
The head of the Industry portfolio has picked up the gauntlet to open the door and design an alternative to this aid program for the renewal of heavy vehicles. “After the movements there must be more projects to encourage demand, I have not forgotten the aid for automobiles either, which we are building and which has to be clear and effective,” assured Hereu.
However, the minister wanted to remember that this is a “very difficult equation”, since it does not mean “only meeting the climate objectives”, but adding other variables that involve “not losing competitiveness and strengthening our industry”. “It is so important to set ambitious objectives that are compared with what is possible, so both things are fundamental. It is evident that the new percentages set from Brussels are very ambitious, and additions that also have to be possible,” he argued. during his intervention.
“It is of little value that the supply is available if the demand does not help”
He then took the general director of Anfac, José López Tafall, as a witness, who continued Griffiths’ claim to find an alternative to the aid plans. “It is of little value that the supply is available if the demand does not help. Without aid, we lose the most effective tool to compete with foreign manufacturers. It is very important that it be renewed as soon as possible with a sufficient supply and incorporating a series of improvements and we need to express it now. We cannot leave it deserted because the rest of the countries are not going to wait for us.
