A new industrial geography or a geographical disconnect? How the EV transition is locating battery activities in Spain

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Abstract:

The development of electric vehicles is reconfiguring traditional industrial activities and introducing new ones, particularly regarding the batteries they integrate. This study characterizes the electric vehicle battery value chain in Spain—a country with significant weight in traditional mobility—by analyzing its activities and location factors. To this end, a qualitative case study methodology was employed, examining 26 new locations combined with in-depth interviews with 9 experts using content analysis. The results suggest two distinct trends. While a large portion of the battery value chain activities has been localized in Spain, high value-added activities have largely remained outside the country. This indicates a localization driven by internal demand, with decisions based on proximity to market or resource availability, while a geographical disconnect persists between the point of supply and the production of certain high-value components.