The fate of Izera, a project aimed at launching a Polish electric vehicle brand, is now uncertain due to recent political changes in Poland. Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, announced that a decision regarding the potential production of the Izera electric car will be made by April.
Izera’s journey began in 2016 with the establishment of ElectroMobility Poland (EMP), backed by four state-owned energy companies, aspiring to build Polish electric vehicles. The brand was officially unveiled in 2020, planning to start production with two models: a hatchback and a SUV. To date, the project has consumed approximately 277 million PLN, with the majority spent on design, technical work, and investment preparation. Despite not having selected a factory contractor yet, the project seemed to be gaining momentum, with EMP in advanced talks with Chinese automotive giant Geely. This collaboration could potentially include producing electric Volvo and Smart models in Jaworzno, Poland.
However, the project’s financing is in jeopardy, as Pełczyńska-Nałęcz revealed that EMP has not secured any funds from the National Recovery Plan (KPO). The government faces a critical decision: invest in the Izera electric car or redirect funds to other sustainable transport solutions, such as electric buses or bikes, and charging infrastructure. The involvement of Chinese technology in Izera raises another dilemma, balancing the benefits of a local manufacturing boost against the risks associated with foreign technology.
A decision on Izera’s future is expected in April. Meanwhile, transport expert Andrzej Banucha warns that if the project fails to launch in Poland, it may find a home in France, citing a potential 15-year revenue of 50 billion PLN and the creation of approximately 2,700 jobs. Banucha criticizes the lack of agreement between financial institutions for the delay, arguing that it masks their incompetence with unfounded criticisms of Izera or Chinese technology.
Geely’s CEO, Daniel Li, in a letter to the head of the Polish Development Fund, Paweł Borys, highlighted the benefits of a strategic partnership between EMP and Geely, emphasizing the potential to attract key EV supply chain suppliers to Poland, including those for batteries and large metal components. EMP suggests that, with cooperation from the Chinese firm, the production line could be operational by 2026.