European EV Workforce Retraining

The European Commission has proposed a ban on new gasoline and diesel cars starting in 2035, and the shift to electric vehicles will force huge changes in the auto industry, requiring European backing for reskilling programs to help workers prepare for a zero-emission future. A recent report showed that jobs at combustion engine manufacturers and suppliers would drop 20% and 42%, respectively, shedding a cumulative 500,000 positions. At the same time, employment at suppliers focused on zero-emission technology will rise by 300,000 workers, representing a 10% increase. An industry group representing auto manufacturers, known as the Platform for Electromobility, has called for a focus on training, upskilling, and reskilling of workers to ensure no one is left behind as the industry transitions to electric vehicles.