May 5th, 2010 Conference

Electric Car 2.0:

Who Will Win The Race?

Innovation | Policy | China

This is the fifth in a continuing series of focused conferences highlighting clean technology solutions to address the planet's multifaceted energy challenges. This conference will cover electric vehicles and their key role in the future of the world's transportation system. The panels will discuss some of the exciting new innovations in electric vehicle technology, the opportunities and competition from China, and the policies and economics that are paving the way for a transformation in the automobile sector.

Keynote Address by

• Dian Grueneich, Commissioner of CPUC

Technology and Infrastructure Development

Electric vehicles have gained significant momentum recently, taking center stage at auto shows and earning the potential to play a key role in the future of America's transportation system. Shifting even part of the fleet will require substantial investment in technology and infrastructure to effectively meet consumer expectations for range, affordability, and overall appeal. What is the current trajectory for electric vehicle technology? Are battery manufacturers and other component suppliers prepared to meet growing demand? How can we improve infrastructure to support market development? This panel will discuss some of the exciting new innovations in electric vehicle technology and infrastructure, highlighting both the challenges the industry faces as well as the companies that are paving the way toward a transformation to a more sustainable future for transportation

• Moderator - Mark Duvall, Director at Electric Power Research Institute
• Saul Zambrano, Director Integrated Demand Side Management Product Portfolio at PG&E
• Marc Tarpenning - Entrepreneur, Co-founder, Tesla Motors, Inc. , Co-founder, Nuvoia, Inc.
• Dan Mosher - Chief Financial Officer, CODA Automotive
• Marques McCammon, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Aptera

China - Opportunities & Challenges

China overtook the U.S. in car sales last year, making it the world's largest car and van market by no small degree: over 13 million vehicles were sold in China compared with 10 million in the U.S. In an effort to address climate change and decrease foreign dependence on oil, both countries share the desire to increase the percentage of electric vehicles on their roads. Automakers and innovative start-ups are looking beyond their home markets and eyeing opportunities across the Pacific. What is the outlook for electric transportation in China? Are current transportation policies in China sufficient to encourage widespread consumer adoption of EVs? What intellectual property considerations must be taken into account when U.S. innovators license in China? How does access to strategic inputs affect EV manufacturing in China vs. in the U.S.? This panel seeks to answer the questions necessary to successfully operate in the Chinese electric transportation market. 

• Moderator - Eric Wesoff, Journalist at GreenTech Media
• Jit  Bhattacharya, CEO of Mission Motors
• Roland Hwang, Transportation Program Manager at the Natural Resource Defense Council
• Marc Gottschalk, Partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
• Luka Erceg, President, CEO & Founder of Simbol Mining Corp.

Policy and Economics of Electric Transportation 

As vehicle manufacturers strive to perfect design and technology, and innovative companies meet complex infrastructure challenges, how can the U.S move from concept to implementation? This panel will discuss the role of policy and economics in the widespread adoption of electric transportation. Creative solutions such as the e-drive bill or San Francisco's EV charging installation program will be highlighted, as panelists discuss current policies that help or hinder growth in electric transportation. What programs are currently being implemented, and how successful have they been? How can future policies effectively incentivize electric transportation? What are the economic and political barriers to implementation? What role does investment play in electric transportation, and how can appropriate policy complement these investments? This panel will address overarching economic and political challenges facing electric transportation, and how to overcome them.

• Moderator - Lee Schipper, Professor at Stanford University
• Ann Bordetsky - North America Market Development, Better Place
• Bob Hayden, Clean Transportation Advisor to SF Government
• Marianne Wu - Partner at Mohr Davidow Ventures
• John Boesel, Pres/CEO at CALSTART