Sustainability LIVE: Net Zero - The Future of EVs Panel

Hosted by Neil Perry, Group Content Director at BizClik – in association with Kearney – Sustainability LIVE: Net Zero brought four influential ladies from the automotive industry under one roof to discuss The Future of Electric Cars in a Net Zero World. 

Panelists:

• Kristen Siemen, Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors
• Fredrika Klarén, Head of Sustainability, Polestar
• Angela Hultberg, Global Director Sustainability, Kearney
• Anisa Kamadoli Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer, Rivian

Advancing the EV transition

Kickstarting the discussion, Siemen acknowledged the positive advancements made in the EV transition so far but highlighted that more needs to be done to address the challenges such as limited consumer choices, inadequate charging infrastructure, and the need for consumer education and behavioural changes.

Hultberg and Costa echoed this by emphasising regulatory challenges, the need for policy alignment to accelerate EV adoption, and the necessity of providing consumers with suitable options and infrastructure. 

"Consumers are used to seeing gas stations on every corner, and so it is a little bit of a behaviour change and a learning” – Kristen Siemen

The importance of industry collaboration to advance the EV transition

Expanding on the adoption of EVs, Klarén stressed the importance of industry collaboration and transparency, particularly when it comes to addressing consumer trust and sustainability concerns. 

The discussion expanded to discuss the role of stakeholders including private enterprises, manufacturers, local authorities, and consumers to accelerate the transition to EVs, as well as the need to collaborate across sectors. 

"If we continue to build these collaborations across the industry, I think we'll see more and more options and availability" - Kristen Siemen

The future of EVs

Looking to the future for the EV transition, the panellists highlighted sustainability considerations in design, materials, and end-of-life management, as well as the importance of integrating circularity principles from the outset of product development and fostering innovation within the automotive industry.

"It's helpful, I think, to step back as well and remind ourselves that we are going through one of the most significant transformations in transportation in quite some time" - Anisa Kamadoli Costa

The panellists also touched on the complexity of charging infrastructure, discussing the need for innovation, resilience, and collaboration to address evolving consumer needs and technological advancements.

OUT NOW!

In honour of International Women’s Day and Month, Sustainability Magazine has kickstarted the launch of BizClik’s annual Top 100 Women supplement for 2024. 

Featuring influential executives from the likes of Google, Amazon, EY, Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, Unilever, General Motors, Intel, HSBC, Kearney, and Mastercard discover who features in this year's Top 100 Women in Sustainability. 

To read the Top 100 Women in Sustainability supplement, click here. 

More to come in 2024…

Sustainability Magazine will be hosting a further five events in 2024, both virtual and in-person. Don’t miss out on your chance to hear from leading industry experts at:

• Sustainability LIVE Singapore
• Sustainability LIVE Dubai
• Sustainability LIVE New York
• Sustainability LIVE London
• The Global Sustainability & ESG Awards

To find out more about these events and awards, click here.

Essential diary dates – 2025

• Net Zero & Scope 3 LIVE 2025 | QEII Centre, London | 5-6 March 2025
• Sustainability Singapore Virtual Conference | 19 March 2025
• Sustainability Dubai Virtual Conference | 23 May 2025
• Sustainability LIVE Chicago and Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Chicago | 4-5 June
• Sustainability LIVE & Sustainability Awards 2025 | BDC, London | 9-10 September 2025
• NEW | ClimateTech Magazine

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Make sure you check out the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Sustainability LIVE 2024

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