Innovation Alone Is Not Enough: Now We Need to Scale
BCC-NL on battery technology, European value chains and the road to Drive Forward 2027
With one year to go until Drive Forward 2027, it is becoming increasingly clear which topics will shape the future of mobility. Battery technology is undoubtedly one of them. Not only as a key enabler of electrification, but also as a strategic technology for Europe's economic and industrial future.
As part of our journey towards Drive Forward 2027, we spoke with Mustafa Amhaouch, Director of Battery Competence Cluster – NL (BCC-NL), about the development of the Dutch battery ecosystem, the challenges of scaling up innovation, and the importance of building strong European value chains.
Batteries as a Key Technology
Looking back at the previous edition of Drive Forward, Mustafa sees an event that has grown into a recognised meeting place for both the Dutch and international mobility community.
For BCC-NL, Drive Forward is highly relevant because mobility is one of the sectors where the societal challenge of electrification is most visible and most urgent.
The previous edition provided an opportunity to engage a broad range of stakeholders in discussions about shared ambitions and the steps required to achieve them.
"We were able to demonstrate that battery technology is not merely a supporting technology, but a true key technology and enabler of the electrification of mobility."
Importantly, those conversations did not end when the event concluded. New connections, collaborations and follow-up discussions emerged between stakeholders from both the mobility sector and the battery ecosystem.
"It helped bring parties closer together and created a clearer understanding of our shared interests and opportunities."
From Individual Players to a True Ecosystem
Over the past few years, the Netherlands has made significant progress in connecting organisations across the battery sector.
According to Mustafa, the term "ecosystem" is often overused, but in this case, it is entirely appropriate.
"We are talking about industry, start-ups, scale-ups, knowledge institutions, educational organisations and public stakeholders who all need each other to create meaningful impact."
One of the most important developments is that collaboration is increasingly viewed as a necessity rather than an option.
"People no longer need to be convinced of the importance of cooperation. There is a growing awareness that, alongside strengthening our own organisations, we must also invest time and energy in building the collective."
At the same time, many innovations are moving beyond the proof-of-concept phase. The focus is now shifting towards industrialisation and large-scale production.
"The next major step is scaling up: ensuring that proven concepts can be manufactured through robust production processes, delivering reliable products at competitive costs."
While challenges remain, Mustafa remains optimistic.
"We are not there yet, but the progress being made gives me confidence that we are moving in the right direction."
A New Geopolitical Reality
The themes of Drive Forward 2027 align closely with developments in the battery sector. The urgency to strengthen battery technology capabilities in both the Netherlands and Europe has only increased.
Where discussions previously focused mainly on innovation and competitiveness, geopolitics has now become a major factor.
"Disrupted supply chains, strategic dependencies on other regions and high energy prices have made it clear that Europe must take a more strategic approach to technology, production capacity and industrial resilience."
These developments affect virtually every sector. Major retailers and logistics companies, for example, are accelerating their electrification strategies, creating new opportunities for battery technology.
But opportunities alone are not enough.
"If we want to create a genuine win-win situation, investments in scaling up must increase. At the same time, the Human Capital Agenda must accelerate as well."
For Mustafa, the greatest urgency lies in three interconnected areas.
"Scaling, value chain collaboration and talent development. Without these three elements, innovation remains trapped in isolated projects, while the societal and economic challenge requires real implementation."
Where New Connections Begin
Looking ahead to the next edition, Sascha is especially looking forward to the new connections that will emerge between different parts of the automotive and mobility sector.
“The innovations that will define the coming years are emerging at the intersection of technology, production, digitalisation and energy.”
For Sascha, Drive Forward should be more than a place where companies meet. It should be a place where collaboration starts.
“I hope Drive Forward 2027 becomes a place where companies not only meet each other, but where real partnerships are formed that accelerate the next step in mobility.”
It is also an opportunity for visitors to experience how the automotive world is changing: smarter, more digital, more sustainable and far more connected to other systems in society.
From ‘Made in Europe’ to a Competitive Europe
When asked who he would most like to engage with during Drive Forward 2027, Mustafa's answer spans the entire ecosystem: businesses, knowledge institutions, governments and investors.
The central question is straightforward.
"How do we ensure that 'Made in Europe' becomes substantial and competitive within the battery industry?"
It is not an easy challenge. Europe faces high energy prices, demographic pressures, strategic dependencies and industrial sectors under pressure.
That is precisely why collaboration is becoming more important than ever.
"It requires sharper choices, stronger collaboration across Europe and deeper engagement with partners outside Europe where that makes strategic sense."
According to Mustafa, Drive Forward 2027 can play a vital role by bringing together the right stakeholders and focusing the conversation on what ultimately matters most: practical cooperation, industrial scaling and execution.
Because the future of battery technology will not be determined solely by the quality of innovation, but by our ability to bring that innovation to market at scale.
Drive Forward 2027 will take place on 14 and 15 April 2027 at the Automotive Campus in Helmond, the Netherlands.
