Gabriela's Pick of the Week

It’s been another busy week across the EV supply chain and hydrogen industry. Yes, I know – we’ve been saying this for a while, but that’s reality! Here are some stories you don’t want to miss:

Another recurrent theme: Trump and tariffs. After enforcing tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Tuesday, but on Wednesday Washington announced a reprieve for carmakers. On Thursday, Trump announced a one-month pause on tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods traded under the USMCA deal (except potash) until 2 April. The Canadian mining industry is also warning tariffs will weaken supply chains instead of strengthening them.

The EU is seeking a competitive edge on autonomous vehicles, and will establish a shared software and hardware platform that should unlock around €1billion in public-private investment by 2027. Battery manufacturing is also a priority for the bloc to ensure its automotive industry’s competitiveness and will receive a boost of €1.8 billion in financing across the value chain.

Earlier in the week, the European Commission confirmed it would be weakening carmakers’ CO2 target compliance rules, proposing a three-year compliance window rather than annual targets and penalties. If approved, the move is expected to result in up to 880,000 fewer electric car sales between 2025 and 2027, according to T&E.

Meanwhile, Chinese EV giant BYD raised $5.6 billion in Hong Kong, aiming to boost its international expansion and unsettling competitors at home and abroad. Toyota also launched its cheapest BEV ever, in China, priced at around $15,000.

To round up the week’s summary, I will leave you with promising news for the green hydrogen industry: Morocco has selected six projects worth $32.8 billion in investment; Peru also approved plans for a $11.2 billion green hydrogen complex; and the EC unveiled its second hydrogen auction attracted 61 bids for a total electrolysis capacity of 6.3 GW.

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