The key words are “clean, safe and accessible mobility in a democratic society”. To pronounce them is Carlos TavaresCEO of Stellar who – a few hours after his “retirement” at the beginning of 2026 was made official – turns to politics to launch an appeal: teaming up for the future ofelectric car Italian, endangered by high costs and the arrival of Chinese competitors.
Yes, but how to solve it? “We help customers with incentives”, proposes the manufacturer’s number one to the Productive Activities commissions of the Chamber and Senate, gathered to listen to the Portuguese manager in a very complicated moment in the sector.
Especially in Italiawhere the market is contracting, demand for electric cars has never taken off and the bonuses intended for zero-emission cars have dried up.
No postponement to green objectives
“Consumers – reports Tavares – tell us: ‘Do you want me to buy an electric car to save the planet? Then sell it to me at the same price as petrol vehicles and solve the problems of the charging network and the efficiency of the cars’”.
However, what afflicts purchase discounts is not the only shortcoming of the country. What is also needed, according to the CEO, is greater regulatory certainty. “As Stellantis we are ready to respect the 2025 objectives and we will not ask for a change,” declares the CEO, referring to the proposal of some manufacturers to postpone the deadlines set by the European Union to combat CO2 from vehicles.
“Global warming is a reality and it is our responsibility to do something for future generations. Rather than arguing about the regulations, it is better to come to an agreement.”
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, in front of Parliament
Also because “if the rest of the world buys a technology that we don’t want in our country, how will we be able to produce and export vehicles? An Italy that goes in a different direction from other states – he adds – will be a problem”.
Fertile ground for China
Two nodes are then added to the series of events: i energy costs necessary for production, which “in Italy are double compared to Spain”, and the landing of competitors Chinese: “While we try to absorb the 40% extra cost of the electric car, the Chinese have a competitive advantage and their BEVs are priced 30% lower. All this adds pressure, which we must manage together.”
Clash with politics
But the majority and the opposition form a common front against the manager, demanding more clarity and greater commitments on the relocation of production, workers’ layoffs, a stop to the production of the Fiat 500e and the future of Comau and the gigafactory in Termoli.
“The factories require huge investments, which are only useful if there is consumer demand. If you no longer want to electrify the market, we won’t build the gigafactory. There is a lot of competition, because many countries want the factory, but Termoli remains the privileged site”, concludes Tavares.
Source: it.motor1.com
