- Marelli, a US-owned company, is set to close a power plant in Italy’s Emilia Romagna region.
- The closure directly responds to the EU’s ambitious plan to ban the sale of new petrol cars by 2035.
US-owned business Marelli has announced plans to close a power plant in the Emilia Romagna region. The facility manufactures internal combustion engine parts used in cars from renowned brands such as BMW, Volkswagen, and Stellantis. The decision comes as a response to the European Union’s ambitious target of banning the sale of new petrol cars by 2035.
The imminent shutdown of the power plant has sparked significant controversy, with politicians from diverse backgrounds visiting the workers who have staged a permanent protest outside the Crevalore plant. Located less than 40 kilometres from Ferrari’s headquarters, this dispute epitomises the complex challenges governments worldwide will confront as they transition industries and economies towards cleaner energy sources to meet stringent climate objectives while ensuring energy security.
Marelli has confirmed its intention to abandon the power plant, leaving its workforce in a state of uncertainty, especially those who rely on the company for their livelihoods. Grazia Vitiello, a 57-year-old worker at the plant, expressed the profound impact of this decision on her life and that of her husband, who also works for Marelli. She stated, “Our lives would cease to exist.”
Grazia’s sentiment highlights the tangible effects of the electric vehicle (EV) transition on individuals and their families, emphasising the pressing need for solutions safeguarding economic stability and environmental sustainability in this rapidly changing landscape. As governments and industries worldwide grapple with similar transitions, the plight of Marelli’s workers in Emilia Romagna is a poignant example of the human dimension of these shifts.