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Electric mobility Workforce & Qualification Site development
The Cluster Electric Mobility South-West has received the European ECEI GOLD Label for the fourth time. The award recognises the cluster´s outstanding management and its effective networking of industry, academia and government in the field of innovative electric and digital vehicle and production technologies in the automotive sector.
For the fourth time, the Cluster Electric Mobility South-West, coordinated by the state agency e-mobil BW, has been awarded the ECEI GOLD label. The European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) presented the certificate today (20 April) at THE LÄND’s joint stand during the 2026 Hannover Messe.
The ECEI GOLD label, “Excel in Cluster Excellence”, is awarded by the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) as part of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI), which was launched by the European Commission. It recognises clusters that demonstrate a particularly high level of professionalism and management quality. The label is supported by the German federal programme “go-cluster”. For the Cluster Electric Mobility South-West, this is the fourth time it has received this award, having previously received it in 2014, 2016 andn 2019. The label is awarded for a period of two years.
“For 16 years now, e-mobil BW has been working with the Cluster Electric Mobility South-West to promote technology transfer and cooperation in vehicle and production technologies. Being awarded the European Gold Standard once again is, above all, a success for all our members, who have played a key role in aligning the cluster´s strategy and driving networking forward. This international recognition also demonstrates just how significant the automotive cluster is for Baden-Württemberg and Europe”, emphasises Franz Loogen, Managing Director of e-mobil BW.
Cluster collaboration plays a key role in the development and implementation of new technologies. It brings together businesses, research institutions and public sector organisations to accelerate the transfer of innovation into practical applications.
The award also acknowledges the technological excellence of the state´s automotive industry.This is particularly reflected in the cluster´s activities, which go beyond the scope of individual projects.
One example is the QualiBattBW qualification project, coordinated by the cluster: since 2024, more than 500 skilled professionals from over 150 small and medium-sized enterprises have been trained, free of charge, for the battery ecosystem. The aim is to disseminate technological know-how across the broader industry and to systematically build competencies in the future field of battery technology.
The cluster is also driving innovation in the field of production technologies: in the research project AgiloDrive2, a modular and digital production system for electric motors was developed. The results are already being applied in manufacturing facilities in Baden-Württemberg to enable a flexible response to volatile market demands. Through targeted networking and formats such as the “E-Motors” working group, the project results were transferred to industry at an early stage and sustainably embedded.
The Cluster Electric Mobility South-West currently brings together more than 270 stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, small and medium-sized enterprises, universities and higher education institutions, as well as representatives from politics and public administration.
The renewed award of the ECEI GOLD label therefore recognises not only the cluster management, but the entire community. It demonstrates how close collaboration, knowledge transfer, and joint projects foster innovation and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Baden-Württmberg as a business location.
The state agency e-mobil BW supports the transformation in Baden-Württemberg. In collaboration with partners from industry, academia and the public sector, it drives the industrialisation and market introduction of future-oriented automotive and hydrogen technologies. In doing so, it strengthens Baden-Württemberg as a centre of business and science in the long term and pursues a regional strategy for the widespread establishment of climate-friendly and connected mobility and energy technologies. E-mobil BW brings together expert knowledge, connects key stakeholders and initiates new projects.
The Cluster Electric Mobility South-Westis one of e-mobil BW´s key networks. With more than 270 members from industry and academia, it drives forward innovative electric and digital vehicle and production technologies, skills development and internationalisation. Through research projects, collaborations, and knowledge transfer, Baden-Württemberg´s competitiveness is strengthend and international networking is promoted.
