Carmaker SEAT to build Spain’s 1st electric battery plant

Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. democratize / dɪˈmɒk rəˌtaɪz / (v.) – to make something accessible or available to all people
    Example:

    The country’s major internet service provider aims to democratize internet access in rural areas.


  2. blue-collar / ˈbluˈkɒl ər / (adj.) – used to describe a job that requires physical skills, such as farming and driving
    Example:

    My father is a blue-collar worker abroad. He’s a carpenter.


  3. reaffirm / ˌriːəˈfɜːm / (v.) – to give one’s support to someone or something again
    Example:

    The government reaffirmed its commitment to support and promote local businesses.


  4. re-industrialize / ri ɪnˈdʌs tri əˌlaɪz / (v.) – to develop industrial activities again, such as manufacturing or transportation, to bring growth to the economy
    Example:

    We are re-industrializing our city by opening a new factory here.


  5. transition / trænˈzɪʃ ən / (n.) – the process of changing from one type or condition to another
    Example:

    Staff who did not agree with the business transition decided to leave the company.


Article

Read the text below.

Spanish carmaker SEAT said that it plans to build Spain’s first electric car battery plant as part of a 10-billion-euro investment in the country’s electric car initiative.


The Spanish government said last year that it would convert the country’s car manufacturing industry, the second-largest in Europe, with funds from the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery plan.


SEAT, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, plans to build the battery plant in Sagunto, a town near the eastern city of Valencia. The company said the Volkswagen Group would also electrify SEAT’s existing car plants in the northern city of Pamplona and Martorell, a town near Barcelona.


SEAT President Wayne Griffiths said the 10-billion-euro investment would allow the company to make electric cars for both domestic sales and the European export market. SEAT had already committed to producing an electric car in the 20,000- to 25,000-euro ($20,000-25,000) range.


“This project will democratize access to sustainable mobility in Europe with electric cars made in Spain,” Griffiths said.


The announcement included the acceptance by SEAT of an offer of 397 million euros ($399 million) from Spain’s government that came from Europe’s EU’s Next Generation funds.


Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez celebrated the deal. The Spanish government has described electric vehicles as a priority that would both create quality blue-collar jobs and meet Europe’s ban on sales of new gasoline and diesel cars by 2035.


“Magnificent news that Volkswagen Group and SEAT reaffirm their commitment to Spain to transform their plants in Martorell and Pamplona and to build a battery factory in Sagunto as part of our electric car initiative,” Sánchez wrote in Spanish on Twitter.


“We are re-industrializing our country and leading the energy transition,” he said.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • If your country has huge funds for its post-pandemic recovery plan, which industry do you think should be prioritized (ex. agriculture, education)? Why? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, what industry in your country has the potential for huge growth in the future? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The Spanish government will ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars by 2035. Do you think most people will support this plan? Why or why not? If your government plans to do the same, will you support it? Discuss.
  • How do you think the government can encourage people to cooperate in energy transition (ex. by giving discounts on eco-friendly options, by educating the people about the benefits of energy transition)? Discuss.