The government is changing the concept of the Jizera project. Minister: It was some kind of phantasmagoria

The Izera project, thanks to which the first Polish electric cars were to appear on the market, has been controversial for years. Recent reports, however, have suggested that its implementation encounters numerous difficulties, both financial and organizational. After the change of government at the end of 2023, the future of Izera was in question. Now, in accordance with Minister Jaworowski’s declarations, the government intends to give the project a completely new formula.

The concept of the entire project has changed. Now we are not talking about Izera, it was some kind of phantasmagoria, but about the Polish electromobility cluster – Jaworowski said in an interview for “DGP”.

This is the first time the new Minister of State Assets mentions the Polish electrician. The new concept is to be more comprehensive and assumes cooperation between various entities.

China’s key role in the negotiations

One of the most pressing questions related to the new concept is the potential involvement of Chinese investors. During Polish-Chinese negotiations with Geely on the future of cooperation in the production of the first Polish electric vehicle, the topic of imposing customs duties by European Union countries on Chinese electric cars came up. “DGP” asked the minister whether Poland, which supports the introduction of such tariffs, can cooperate with Chinese companies.

I think it’s possible. The talks are still ongoing. From my perspective, it would be very good if there was cooperation between Poland and China on this project – emphasized the minister in an interview for “DGP”.

However, the details of the cooperation remain a secret for now. As Minister Jaworowski pointed out, negotiations are a delicate process.

Minister Jaworowski criticized the Izera project during the PiS government

Minister Jaworowski did not spare words of criticism towards Izera’s original assumptions. In his opinion, such a project, without solid foundations and a business approach, had no chance of success.

– In the Electromobility Poland project, the one from Izera, we also made changes, because this vision of PiS was also an obvious hallucination. There has never been a case where a car was created ex nihilo out of nothing. We took this project on a completely different track – Jaworowski said in an interview for “Rzeczpospolita”.

In an interview for “Rzeczpospolita”, MAP stated that the key element of the new concept is cooperation with the Chinese concern Geely. – Negotiations are ongoing with the Chinese partner, Geely. If we reach a mutually beneficial agreement, we will build a factory and produce electric cars in Poland – explained the minister.

Funds for the development of the expanded Jizera project

The minister also mentioned changes to the Jizera project, which must also receive legislative support. An act has been submitted to the Parliament which will enable the use of funds from the National Reconstruction Plan (KPO) for further work on the project. Minister Jaworowski noted in an interview for “Rzeczpospolita” that the amount is about PLN 4 billion. These funds are intended to enable capital involvement in the project and the construction of infrastructure necessary for its implementation.