Q: At the Management Briefing Seminars presented by the Center for Automotive Research you were quoted as saying that "North
America just isn't ready. We don't have a supply base" for batteries, drive motors or electronic controls. How serious is
this situation and how does it impact the U.S. auto market?
A: The United States needs a strategic, consistent energy policy that emphasizes catalyzing domestic "green industries" including
energy storage technologies for transportation applications. This strategy should ultimately manifest itself in legislation
that incentivizes:
The purchase of domestically produced electrified powertrain vehicles.
The establishment of a manufacturing infrastructure for new technologies necessary for electrified powertrain vehicles.
CO2 intensity reductions from all sectors, not just transportation.
Workforce training and education critical to reshaping the manufacturing infrastructure.
Domestic sources of competitively-advantaged (cost) clean energy.
The Energy Bill is an excellent first step, but what is needed next is follow-through to ensure that critical programs receive
the necessary appropriations. The United States must seize the initiative to not only transform the way we power our homes
and cars, but to transform our economy with a new foundation of renewable, and clean energy technologies and businesses. Drilling
for additional sources of oil is a good idea, but must be realistically viewed as a bridging strategy, not a long-term solution.
In general, Congress appears receptive to this approach, but what is needed is action on the Hill as soon as the new president
is inaugurated.
