The organization uniting the car importers of the Baltic countries aims to accelerate the development of zero-emission mobility in the region | Business

In order to accelerate the development of e-mobility and ensure that by 2028 at least 30 percent vehicles sold would be electrified, the Baltic Sustainable Mobility Alliance was established, uniting car importers of the region.

“Despite the ongoing public debate, we have no doubt that the future of the automotive industry is inseparable from electrification. In the Baltic countries, the development of e-mobility is quite slow. Step by step, we are approaching the moment when technology will help to solve sustainability issues in all spheres of life – without any risk to the usual comforts.

Of course, sustainability and the EU’s climate goals are important, but in order to achieve meaningful change it is important that each of us understands the practical benefits of electric cars in the long term. As an alliance, we want to contribute to faster infrastructure development, thoughtful state support and tax policy planning, as well as consumer education,” says Ilze Grase-Kibilde, the initiator and head of the Baltic Sustainable Mobility Alliance.

The purpose of the alliance is to bring together the largest car importers of the Baltic countries and together accelerate the development of sustainable mobility. Cooperation between different countries, local authorities, companies and consumers is highly encouraged when solving various issues related to sustainable mobility. Close cooperation with European Union organizations monitoring sustainable mobility and infrastructure development is also aimed at. Another important direction of activity is the promotion of long-term changes in order to create and develop favorable conditions for sustainable mobility in the Baltic States.

In order to implement the ten-year transport greening program, further talks will be held with representatives of the governments of all three Baltic countries and interested groups. Talks are already underway on support for companies buying green cars, support programs for low-emission (up to 130 g CO2/km) cars, vehicle import taxes, public procurement as an example of a sustainable choice, and the implementation of other important solutions.

In the field of education, along with information regarding the availability of infrastructure, it is also planned to reduce prejudices and change false beliefs regarding electric car charging and daily use. In addition, experts in the field and business representatives will be encouraged to share experience and good practices, for example, organizing the recycling of electric car batteries in the Baltic countries and carrying out other initiatives.

On October 31, 2023, the Baltic Sustainable Mobility Alliance was registered in the Latvian Companies Register.

The largest car importers in the Baltic countries – “Moller Baltic Import”, “Toyota Baltic”, “Inchcape Motors Latvia”, “Veho Baltics” and “Nordic Automotive Service” became the founders of the association. Together, they represent the Audi, Ford, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands. The alliance is led by the chairperson – Ilze Grase-Kibilde (General Director of Moller Baltic Import, Volkswagen importer in the Baltic States and Audi importer in Latvia and Lithuania) and two board members: Andres Aguraiuja (Commercial Director of Veho in Finland and the Baltic States) and Mika Elojarvi (President of Toyota Baltic).

The Baltic importers cooperation initiative in the field of sustainable mobility began with a meeting held in Norway in August 2022, during which experts from the region shared their experiences on state policies and the role of local authorities in the implementation of targeted e-mobility solutions.

In order to strengthen long-term cooperation, an expert working group was established in March 2023 for the development of sustainable mobility in the Baltic countries. In the spring and summer of the same year, events were organized in all three Baltic countries, during which local experts together with representatives of the Norwegian delegation, based on their extensive experience, delved into the aspects of e-mobility at the national, municipal and individual user levels.