•    Laying of technological foundations for development and manufacture of hybrid and electrically-powered vehicles in Spain
•    Project awarded 40 million euro subsidy by CDTI (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation)
•    Joint project with major partners from automotive, infrastructure and energy sectors.

SEAT is to lead a project that will lay the foundations for Spain to become a key player in the field of electrically-powered transport. The Proyecto VERDE (‘Green Project’) has been granted a CDTI subsidy amounting to 40 million euros and will be rolled out over a period of four years. The project aims to carry out research to generate the necessary know-how with a view to the future manufacture and marketing of eco-friendly vehicles in Spain – mainly plug-in hybrid and electrically-powered cars.

SEAT vice-president for Research and Development Frank Bekemeier said “The green light for the Proyecto VERDE provides us with an opportunity to lay the technological foundations necessary for the development and manufacture of electric and hybrid vehicles in this country. This project will give the Spanish automotive sector a major stimulus by providing a dynamic boost to the sector’s technology.”

The Proyecto VERDE is headed by SEAT and comprises another 16 partner companies such as CEGASA, SIEMENS, LEAR, ACS, IBERDROLA and ENDESA. Additionally, the company also liaises with 16 universities and technological centres such as the CTM Centre Tecnològic, the principal research centre and project manager.