Sources: Silence, El Confidencial Image source: El Confidencial

The CFO of Silence, a brand of LEVA-EU member Acciona, explained the significance of electric mobility as an increasingly smart and sustainable replacement to the standard car, especially so in the context of rising fuel costs. Alongside various stakeholders, she took part in an electric mobility round table discussion, organised by Spanish media El Confidencial in collaboration with Acciona.

The round table included industry experts, including Silence’s CFO Cristina Martínez, Arancha García Hermo, Director of the Industry and Environment area of ANFAC, Arturo Pérez de Lucia, General Director of the Business Association for the Development and Promotion of Electric Mobility (AEDIVE), and Álvaro Sauras, Vice President of the Association of Electric Vehicle Users (AUVE). They all emphasised the benefits of electric mobility as being sustainable for the environment and for people’s wallets, as a cheaper alternative to the car, notably so due to rising fuel prices.

“If we compare consumption and the price of current fuel, electric mobility comes out on top,” explains Cristina Martínez.

Silence light electric vehicles as a cost-effective and convenient sustainable mobility solution

During the meeting, Martínez explained that Silence’s cutting-edge technology and product development can help consumers replace their cars with a more cost-effective mobility solution.

Its light electric vehicles, which operate on swappable batteries, have already proven popular in Spanish cities. With its swappable battery offering, Silence eliminates users needing to wait around for their electric motorcycles and microcars to recharge, unlike many other electric vehicles.

What can be done to improve take-up

Martínez is calling on the industry to “rethink the needs of drivers” as it has the opportunity to innovate vehicles for specific scenarios.

In relation to charging solutions, Martínez and other panelists agreed that there should be a range of alternatives and models. “Not everyone has the same needs, and we have to see which solution best suits each situation. The advantage lies in having different options and being able to use them as desired.”

All round-table members agreed on the need for clear European regulations, with more focus on subsidies and incentives rather than penalties.

Martínez emphasised that subsidies need to arrive on time, and that incentives need to help the whole industry to gain traction.

“There needs to be clear regulation with a consistent direction. We have to get people to make that mental shift,” reiterated Martínez.

The roundtable discussion highlighted the significance of electric mobility in maintaining strategic security and energy independence for Spain during the current complex global geopolitical situation.

As the discussion ended, Martínez emphasised this importance and the need for the public sector to help encourage continued participation:

“Electric vehicles contribute to Spain’s energy independence, and in these turbulent times, this is important. They must be adapted to each user. We need public administrations to believe in the project, and we all need to support it and keep moving forward.”