Supporting the EU 2035 CO2 limits and wider decarbonization trajectory
Ensuring effective Member States incentives for electric vehicle purchase and use
Accelerating the roll-out of charging infrastructure across all Member States
Addressing Europe’s competitiveness gap for electric vehicles, batteries, and their materials
Unlocking the flexibility potential of electric vehicles to support EU grids and save consumers money
In 1978, an association was created to unite EV related efforts in Europe. Under the name AVERE, (Association, du Vehicle Electrique Routier Européen” or European Electric Road Vehicle Association), it was initially mainly supported by the electricity and academic sectors, with a modest but upcoming contribution from industry.
Up to the 1970s, the interest in electric road vehicles was limited. Electric traction was in wide use for industrial vehicles, but few battery-electrics were on the road, apart from niche applications such as the ubiquitous British milk floats. But the oil crisis struck, and environmental concerns grew, with interest for alternative fuels and drivetrains emerging.
The support for activities in the field initially came mostly from the electricity sector, with Unipede (association of electricity producers, today known as Eurelectric) having hosted the first European edition of the EVS symposium in 1976.
On the academic front, the electric vehicle constituted a promising application of the emerging new technology of power electronics, embraced by university research centres such as the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) where Prof. Gaston Maggetto acted as a pioneer.
In 1990, WEVA was founded as global association, uniting AVERE with American EVAA (now called EDTA) and Asian EVAAP. Henceforth, WEVA members organised the EVS symposia to keep up with the rapid evolution in the field.
AVERE was now really the representative voice of electromobility in Europe, and as such also participated in some European research actions, mainly through its academic partners such as VUB.
From 2010 onwards, the lithium battery breakthrough finally allowed for major deployment of battery EVs as a prime contender for fossil-fueled vehicles, highlighting its position as the technology of the future.
With growing interest from industry, AVERE expanded. In 2025, AVERE rebranded as E-Mobility Europe, reflecting collaboration across Europe towards sustainable transport.
E-Mobility Europe is the voice for Europe’s collective electric vehicle ecosystem (formerly AVERE), from national EV associations, vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure, supply chain, fleet owners, and technology.
E-Mobility Europe advocates for Europe’s successful transition to electric vehicles, in a way that benefits both the region’s people and its industries.