Abstract:

GO4SEM (Global Opportunities for Small/medium enterprises in Electro-Mobility) aims to support the European small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in assessing emerging global markets by creating a framework that informs and advices on the business opportunities and market requirements for selected countries in Asia and America. The objective was to spread awareness of global market trends and opportunities and to trigger the creation of dedicated professional networks in the field of electric mobility. The overall sector of electric mobility and related ICT technologies can benefit from the GO4SEM project, which has identified specific product – service – and technology needs of emerging e-mobility supply chains in Europe as well as in Asia and USA. Based on that analysis, a set of guidelines and recommendations have been developed, targeting feasible business models for European SMEs aiming to enter the aforementioned value chains on a global platform. In order to reach these recommendations, first European innovation capabilities in the sector of electric mobility were assessed; secondly, based on the GO4SEM global market reports (which identified specific product-service and technology needs of emerging e-mobility supply chains) and on the aforementioned SWOT analysis, a European action plan for strengthening the competitive position of European SMEs. Four different phases are applied depending on the developing stage of each member state region. Moreover the key issues identified and objectives to be addressed are pointed out, and finally the set of recommendations is provided, based on the aforementioned priorities.