Workshop Session III: Friday, May 11, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Concentration: Infrastructure and Cleaner, More Efficient Transportation

Electric vehicles (EV) are offering one important way to reduce emissions and our dependence on oil as well as increase domestic job opportunities. There have already been tens of thousands of new domestic jobs created in the last few years in the electric vehicle and parts manufacturing arena as well as other EV-related jobs in electrical work, smart grid technology, electric charging unit manufacturing and technology. With more than $10 billion in new investment in the advanced battery and EV component industry, the question now turns to whether EV's will be a market success and what governmental incentives will be needed for them to become an increasing proportion of the auto fleet. This panel will review the state of the EV industry — particularly in the Midwest — and explore successes and lessons learned from policy and business efforts at the state, local and federal level to advance this market.  

Moderator:
Gina Coplon-Newfield, Senior Campaign Representative for Electric Vehicles, Sierra Club

Presenters:
Charles Griffith, Climate and Energy Program Director, Ecology Center
Katherine Stewart, Director of Government and Public Affairs, Clean Fuels Ohio
Thomas Bowes, Assistant Director, Detroit Electrical Industry Training Center
Michael Tinskey, Associate Director, Vehicle Electrification & Infrastructure, Ford