Hungarian Battery Production- Analysis from the Perspective of Environmental Protection and the Labour Market

In the 20th century, transportation heavily relied on hydrocarbons. Currently, the initial transition to electric propulsion is being witnessed. There's an ongoing debate among technical experts regarding its effectiveness alongside the start of battery production. Our research focuses on the labour market impact of companies operating in battery manufacturing, component production, and disposal in Hungary, as well as the opinions of local residents regarding the establishment of these organizations. Our research aims to track the differences and similarities between the governmental standpoint and the population's views. Hungary stands out for its rapid industrialization, focusing on enhancing GDP and job creation. The population is concerned about employing immigrant workers and potential battery production and disposal accidents. Our qualitative study adheres to the European Green Deal principles, including insights on battery manufacturing from transportation experts, manufacturers' associations, and environmentalists. Our quantitative research shows a preference for living at an unrealistic distance from such facilities. Many citizens advocate for the cessation of battery factory operations or investments, a stance mainly due to limited public awareness. Middle-aged individuals exhibit the most fear, and we correlate our findings with societal facts and negative incidents. To mitigate these tensions, mass education, tighter regulation, and increased sanctions are recommended.