Where is Michigan (and America) at with electric vehicles and battery technology? Gabrielle Coppola, a journalist at Bloomberg, joins me for a conversation on the Daily Detroit podcast.
Coppola wrote a very interesting piece, “America’s long, tortured journey to build EV batteries,” and it caught my eye because A123 systems — a Michigan company — was bought out of bankruptcy by Chinese investors and their cutting edge tech now is used over there. Over here? Americans are left having to license technology we created.
This conversation is about more than that, though. It’s about the immense change happening to the automotive industry, and what the challenges and opportunities really are for American automakers to compete in the EV and battery space.
Follow Gabrielle Coppola on social media:
X: https://twitter.com/gablova?lang=en
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@gablova
Episode rundown:
02:10 - Where are we at with EVs right now in the United States?
05:20 - Is Electric the future technology? What about alternatives?
07:20 - Automakers need to produce a lot of one car to make money
08:21 - Many people in auto industry are very worried about the future and how the changes coming will impact their lives
09:50 - It will take 30% fewer labor hours to make an electric car
11:18 - Carmakers are learning about batteries, and want to bring more in house
13:25 - Challenges for the future of suppliers and the jobs tied to them
14:40 - Michigan's lead with battery tech from A123 Systems that China bought out of bankruptcy and now uses as they speed ahead with EV adoption
25:22 - Why Michigan has to offer so many subsidies to battery plants, it's multiple levels.
26:42 - China does not make for a level playing field
27:41 - Competition with China is not a fair fight, and their government puts in seemingly endless dollars (we really don't know, there's no transparency)
28:26 - Thinking about quarters vs. generations
30:16 - Whatever America and American consumers decide to do, the rest of the world is not waiting on electric vehicles
30:58 - EVs are wrapped in political identity in America, despite any facts on the ground
34:37 - Michigan advantages for the road ahead
Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211
Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple
Or Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify
Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit
Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit
Gilbert is going to "give it all away" (and more from the Mackinac Policy Conference)
How to make Michigan a high wage, high growth state (ft. Khalilah Burt Gaston, Song Foundation)
Your TV and news is changing a lot. Let's talk about why (ft. Matt Friedman)
Mustang Mach E thoughts / A challenge to building more housing in Detroit / Mackinac next week
Michigan Central tickets sell out // Handle the basics if you want to win
From 1890s General store to one of Detroit's best bars: Inside Kiesling
New Detroit Zoo water tower art // Will the Lions shine on the national stage?
Let's bring back the Detroit Shock (and talk about the old Belle Isle Zoo)
A new pro soccer stadium for Detroit (and some speculation)
Detroit gains population // Fairlane falls behind // Visiting Detroit Vinyl Society and Cafe Noir
Dutch Girl returns // Pistons draft disappointment // Panthers make playoffs
Riverfront Conservancy CFO being investigated // Detroit sues over Census count // One of the most beautiful restaurants in America
Previewing Michigan's largest free Pride festival
Detroit has picked up the pace
Should Wayne County go all-in on transit? // There can only be one (challenger)
The Good Work of the DBG // Stories Around Metro Detroit
From Michigan to MLS // Detroit's big for NFL talent // Do Tigers City Connect jerseys connect?
There's so much more than Cinco de Mayo (ft. Jose Vargas, LaJalisciense)
The Past, Present and Possible Future of the RenCen (ft. Mark Nickita)
Beefs: Drake and Kendrick; Comcast and Bally Sports
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Morning Wire
The Daily
Up First
Today, Explained
Dobré ráno | Denný podcast denníka SME