Germany has a federal government structure with centralized decision-making. However regional matters are in the hands of sixteen administrative divisions. Their names hark back to days when princes controlled them, so we have quaint names like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein. When a battery war breaks out among them historic emotions can run high.
Battery War Breaks Out between Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg
Who would have imagined ten years ago batteries could cause a dispute in Germany. It’s a sign of green times ahead when hosting a battery research facility could be such a fine prize. When the federal government announced plans for locating it in Münster, Rhine-Westphalia hackles rose.
The prime ministers of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria immediately demanded their share of the 200 million euro fund. That’s because these two neighboring administrative divisions in the south of the country want their own research network according to TellerReport.Com. Moreover, they propose facilities in the cities of Ulm, Augsburg, Nördlingen and Karlsruhe, not Münster.
The Stakes Are Running High Between Stake Holders
“We will therefore set up both research and production locations in both countries”, the Bavaria prime minister announced. He and his counterpart in Baden-Württemberg are demanding “at least 100 million euros each” for their project.
It’s no wonder a battery war breaks out suddenly like this, when the stakes are so high. There’s a determined mood in Europe to reduce reliance on China for electric vehicle batteries. Germany will tap into a European special battery fund and will no doubt distribute this once the politics settle. Behind the scenes, people are asking how Münster in Rhine-Westphalia earned the minister’s favor.
The three main German opposition parties are demanding a meeting with the Research Committee that apparently made the recommendation. This will no doubt be a straight-talking meeting, that we shall follow with interest from afar.
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Preview Image: Lamberti Square in Münster, Rhine-Westphalia
