In this 8th episode of "On the Move", we welcome Fabien Levaillant, Managing Director at BNP Paribas' Low-Carbon Transition Group and specialist in transition minerals, metals and batteries at the heart of the electric vehicle industry. In this interview, Fabien details issues related to the electric vehicle supply chain and how BNP Paribas contributes to financing the actors in this fast-moving sector.
Mastering and financing the electric mobility value chain
With the upcoming ban on internal combustion vehicles in 2035 in Europe, the automotive industry in the zone is changing its paradigm by moving from a fossil fuel model to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly model. Yet whether in terms of financing the battery value chain or fast-charging infrastructures, the development of electric mobility faces several challenges.
Battery production, an essential component of electric mobility, and mastering the battery value chain are therefore key for manufacturers. The production of batteries is currently largely concentrated in Asia, and particularly in China. In an effort to localise and control the battery value chain in Europe, the European Union has announced grants to support ongoing development initiatives. Projects to develop EV batteries, infrastructure and manufacturing however require significant investments and an adapted approach to changing financing needs.
The financing of this type of infrastructure remains quite innovative, because it is a market that is growing, but which is not yet very mature. As financial advisors, we need to be more agile and flexible, even creative, to structure a financial product that is attractive to the markets.
"On the Move", the BNP Paribas podcast on sustainable mobility solutions
In this series, BNP Paribas experts share their views on the challenges related to sutainable mobility and headways for more inclusive and environmentally conscious mobility solutions
Listen to episode #8 of "On the Move"Supporting EV actors to move forward
In "On the Move #8" Fabien Levaillant cites the example of IONITY, one of the European leaders in charging stations, which BNP Paribas recently supported as financial advisor for the financing of its expansion. Other transactions carried out over the past 4 years illustrate that BNP Paribas' sector expertise meets the needs of this type of player throughout the electric vehicle value chain.
"To develop the electric vehicle sector, we need to develop a complete ecosystem. And what is very important, is to have an underlying infrastructure that can support this growth".
Financing charging infrastructure is a significant challenge for the development of electric mobility which requires an innovative and flexible approach. BNP Paribas, through its Low-Carbon Transition Group, is well positioned to play an important role in this process and support automotive companies in their transition and help them achieve their decarbonization goals.
The BNP Paribas Low-Carbon Transition Group:
September 2025: BNP Paribas Mobility Day & IAA Munich
- The BNP Paribas Mobility cross-functional initiative - which groups BNP Paribas Personal Finance, Arval BNP Paribas, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, CIB (Corporate & Institutional Banking) and BNP Paribas Cardif - is organising a 'Mobility Day' in Munich on 9 September. This forum on the theme "Mobility for a changing world" aims to explore major mobility transformations, through discussions, sharing market perspectives, talks by experts within BNP Paribas Mobility and the automotive industry, as well as keynotes from the Group's leaders. This international event will bring together around 250 high-level executives and experts, including customers and partners from the automotive sector such as Kia, Stellantis, Jaguar Land Rover, BYD, Hyundai, BMW, Iveco, among others. A unique opportunity to share knowledge, experiences and vision on the issues and challenges of mobility in Europe!
- At IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich (9-14 September 2025), the international trade fair dedicated to mobility, Ronny Seidel, Global Head of Commerce Mobility at BNP Paribas Personal Finance, will participate in a conference entitled Better Safe Than Sorry. How to Insure and Finance the Mobility of Tomorrow? alongside other experts from Allianz, Lucid Motors and PWC.
