Event link: https://vlab.org/events/bevs/
November 15, 2022
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Moderators:
John McElroy, Host, Autoline Daily
Sandy Munro, Chief Executive Officer, Munro & Associates

Panelists:
Chris Anthony, Chief Executive Officer, Aptera
Volker Kaeser, Chief Technology Officer, Indigotech
Alexei Andreev, Managing Director, Autotech Ventures
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Description:
It is no secret that the global automotive landscape is undergoing a monumental transformation from internal combustion engines (ICEs) to engines using alternative, carbon-friendly fuel sources. Perhaps the most well-known of these new automobile designs is the battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV). BEVs are being chosen to drive the future (pun intended) for several key reasons. BEVs typically have better fuel economy and lower fuel costs than ICE vehicles, and their reduced carbon emissions can help achieve global sustainability goals.

The demand among consumers for BEVs continues to accelerate, and governments have jumped on the bandwagon, adopting new measures to reduce or eliminate the production of gas-powered vehicles. These market-shifting developments have ignited both established manufacturers and startups, and industry leaders are placing huge bets on an all-electric future. With over 1 billion cars on the road today, the stakes are enormous.

Understandably, these massive numbers have attracted massive amounts of capital, and companies are scrambling to take the pole position and adopt a “BEV-first” mentality. For example, Stellantis has invested a staggering $35 billion in the BEV space, and Ford has invested $20 billion to facilitate the BEV transition in its product line. Large deployments of capital can also be seen on even small BEV startups, and the transportation sector has become the fourth-largest investment sector among VCs.

In our upcoming VLAB panel discussion, thought leaders, founders, and investors will discuss the key challenges and opportunities in the BEV space and whether legacy automakers will be quick and nimble enough to keep up with or overtake the BEV startups.

- What are the key challenges faced by BEV startups and incumbents?
- What new incentives are governments providing to help accelerate BEV adoption?
- Which companies have the inside track in the BEV race?