How to strategically position European SMEs as part of an electric vehicle technology value chain

European policy aims for a clean transport sector for improving the competitiveness of the automotive industry. By supporting small and medium enterprise (SME) development, European Union (EU) can achieve both economic growth and emission reduction targets. It is expected that there will be changes in the established relationships within the automotive supply chain in moving from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs), and SMEs that are more capable of developing those technologies might have a role in the possible EV based automotive value chain re-shaping. The "European Network on Electric Vehicles and Transferring Expertise" (ENEVATE) partnership conducted a series of interviews with SMEs throughout North-West Europe to investigate support areas that SMEs need to have to play a role in this possible EV based automotive value chain re-shaping. It was found that SMEs needed more support for protecting technology, establishing relationships and funding investments.