03/10/2017 (Agence Europe) – According to the British newspaper, The Financial Times, dated 3 October, the European Commission Vice President in charge of Energy, Maroš Šefčovič, would like to start a consortium of major companies to invest in the battery sector. The Commissioner pointed out that, “what we need is a dedicated Airbus for batteries”. He also pointed out that the aviation sector in Europe in the 1960s was made up of innovative SMEs but that they did not manage to extend business activities. In this regard, Mr Šefčovič is holding a summit on 11 October next week of major groups from the chemicals sector, automobile manufacturers and European battery produces to promote closer co-operation, boosted by European funding of up to €2.2 billion, according to the FT. Electrification of the automobile fleet is progressing slowly but could experience more significant expansion in future (see EUROPE 11872). (PH)