GO4SEM Recommendations to Support Innovation Links for Entering Global e-Mobility Markets

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 main goal of the EU coordination GO4SEM was two folded: on the one hand it aimed to support the European SMEs for their entry in global emerging e-mobility markets with a focus on Brazil, India and China. On the other hand it also assessed the business opportunities in more mature markets, with a known or renewed interest in e-mobility, such as Japan, South Korea and the USA. 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. Moreover, policy advice, e.g. on standardization or education, is given. The project identified specific product-, service- and technology-needs of emerging e-mobility supply chains. As a result a set of guidelines and recommendations were developed, targeting feasible business models for European SMEs aiming to enter the aforementioned value chains on a global platform. This contribution presents first the innovation capabilities of the European SME community with respect to the development of e-mobility. Then based on that analysis and the global market needs, a European action plan is proposed for strengthening the competitive position of EU SMEs. And finally the recommendations towards the European Commission, which would facilitate the entering of European SMEs the global markets, are introduced.