KATHMANDU: Europe is at least two decades behind China in electric vehicle battery technology, according to German automotive expert Professor Ferdinand Dudenhoffer, who often referred to as the “Auto Pope” by German media.
He shared the assessment in an interview with the Global Times.
Dudenhoffer, head of the Center for Automotive Research in Bochum, said batteries are Europe’s biggest weakness in the EV race. He noted that cooperation with Chinese suppliers has become unavoidable for European automakers to remain competitive.
Chinese brands are rapidly expanding in Europe. In December 2025, they crossed 100,000 vehicle sales in a single month, reaching a 9.5 percent market share. By 2025, more than 70 percent of EV batteries used in Europe are expected to be supplied by Chinese companies.
China also holds a major cost and speed advantage. Battery production costs are around 30 percent lower, while development cycles are nearly 50 percent shorter than in Europe.
European battery makers continue to struggle. Northvolt in Sweden is facing bankruptcy, while France’s ACC has paused expansion plans. Meanwhile, Chinese giants like CATL and BYD are setting up or expanding production in Europe through partnerships with BMW and Stellantis.
Dudenhoffer added that Chinese firms are also leading in autonomous driving and smart cockpit technologies. He warned that Europe could miss the EV transition if it relies only on inefficient local supply chains and stressed that closer cooperation with China could benefit both sides.
