Electrification Coalition: Adding momentum to EV deployment

A new lobby group has formed with some heavyweights to push for the EV deployment.

The Electrification Coalition

The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit group of business leaders committed to promoting policies and actions that facilitate the deployment of electric vehicles on a mass scale in order to combat the economic, environmental, and national security dangers caused by our nation’s dependence on petroleum.

The Coalition seeks to achieve its goals through a combination of public policy research and the education of policymakers, opinion leaders, and the public. Equipped with exceptional research and analysis, these prominent business executives bring credibility, insight, and objectivity to the debate over electrification.

Look at members of this group:

Timothy E. Conver,AeroVironment, Inc. - Manufacturer (EV/UAVs)
Peter L. Corsell, GridPoint, Inc. - Smartgrid software vendor
David W. Crane, NRG Energy, Inc. - Enginnering/operations
Kevin Czinger, Coda Automotive - EV manufacturer
Peter A. Darbee, PG&E Corporation - Utility
Seifi Ghasemi, Rockwood Holdings, Inc. - Manufacturing, materials
Carlos Ghosn, Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. - EV manufacturer
Ray Lane, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers - VC
Richard Lowenthal, Coulomb Technologies, Inc. - EV charging
Alex A. Molinaroli, Johnson Controls- Equipment manufacturer
Reuben Munger, Bright Automotive, Inc. - Vehicle design
Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corporation - Logistics
David Vieau, A123 Systems, Inc. - Battery manufacturer


They have an electrification roadmap, if you wish to look at.

The Electrification Roadmap is a comprehensive report that outlines a vision for a fully integrated electric drive network in the united states. The report examines the challenges facing electrification, including battery technology and cost, infrastructure financing, regulatory requirements, electric power sector interface, and consumer acceptance issues. The Roadmap provides policymakers and business leaders with a framework for overcoming these challenges in order to drive meaningful reductions in u.s. oil dependence.

A few observations . First, people are taking the fight to the political level/public discourse now. The potential winners (GE/transportation/software etc.) are bracing for a show of force with potential losers (coal, oil etc.). Second, the coalition is still small. Only some are heavyweights - FedEx, PG&E, Nissan, and Johnson controls. Third, they are playing up, possibly for strategic reasons, the national security angle. They are likely being advised by the best of the messaging talent that exists out there. This strikes me a way to split the subset of lawmakers who are both market and security hawks.

The march to low carbon economy continues....