There war in Ukrainecarried out by Vladimir Putin and a Russia whose resources are globally important, has shown the limits of international policies in terms of energy, environment, industry. The conflict came in the midst of the electric transition (for example in the world of cars), of the process of phasing out fossil energy, of small steps towards less pollution. And the result could lead to a sensational reverse processlinked to an asset that no one would want to give up: that of Welfare.
How much energy do we need to do what we like, regardless of what is strictly necessary? A lot, probably too much. Today, taking this energy from Russia seems an idea that is not very close to democratic ideals. Many speak of energy independence, of internal resources. And who does not want to bet everything on renewables pulls coal plants out of the attic, various drilling, a return or an upgrade of nuclear power. In this sense, the opinion of Pier Luigi del Viscovo, which appeared in the Sole 24 Ore, is interesting.
The economic newspaper reads precisely: “Even the best of a cue can happen, but here it is a continuation. Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen, the one of the all-in on the electric, says that it will be impossible to give up the heat engine. Elon Musk calls for greater use of fossils, confirming that he is an entrepreneur and knows that Tesla is the product of opulence, not of revolution, and will only be bought if the economy continues to run well. BlackRock, the financial giant, clarifies to investee companies that environmental sustainability will be appreciated only as an ancillary result of the only goal: profit. Still, it goes to coal-fired power plants, goes around buying additional supplies of gas, no one knows at what price, and even evokes a return to nuclear power, all in order not to make families and businesses lack electricity, which is the real scarce resource“.
Right now the electric car costs a lot, as does electricity itself. But car companies have invested heavily in this sector, putting aside endothermic technology a little; whose industry, however, still has an enormous turnover and whose activities are certainly directed towards great changes. Reality may not be joyful, with no middle ground to be found between governments, industries and citizens (customers): now more than ever, sustainable mobility must be declined on offers that are convenient in terms of price and environment. This could also pass from less premium hybrid endothermic cars suitable for the common man and woman, without too many trinkets and record-breaking engines: in short, low cost. Those who can afford Tesla and sports cars can continue to do so in the meantime. A utopialet’s say.
Meanwhile, companies continue to invest in electricity. Porsche, for example, is betting everything on this type of future, with 80% of the models being battery-powered by 2030. The Stuttgart-based company is substantially the most valuable part of the Volkswagen group, thanks to its profitability: its value. it is valued by financial analysts between 80 and 100 billion euros. It will soon be listed on the stock exchange. The Volkswagen brand is also continuing along the same path; but as mentioned the prices are still too high. There is no room for a new ‘people’s car’.
On the other side of the fence is a multinational like Eni, which is trying to help the Italian government get out of the Russian mess. It does so through new talks with Congo, Angola, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria and Mozambique, certainly not perfect partners in terms of democratic approach, but currently less problematic than Putin. But it is also moving forward with a new company dedicated to sustainable mobility, linked to the stringent decarbonisation objectives: biorefining activities will be brought together here, for example. In this case the turning point is partial, and only future; for the present we cannot yet abandon the current energy system. Meanwhile, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, there is a pressing climate problem that cannot be underestimated in any way.
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