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Steven Chu
Stanford University, United States of America

Delvina Tarimo
INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Germany

Christian Weingärtner
Vice President European Business Transformation, Ford in Europe

Moderator: Claire Hansell
Deputy Editor, Chemistry at Nature, United Kingdom

The global transition towards electric mobility represents a fundamental shift with profound implications to energy networks, societal infrastructure, and technological development. Particularly in Europe, this transition is rapidly changing the nature of energy and electricity use. The EV transition is facilitating convenient, reliable, and affordable charging networks including home charging for those who have access, and this is essential to ensure widespread adoption and user satisfaction. This integration of vehicle charging into the energy network patterns introduces new challenges and opportunities for grid stability, load management, and the optimization of use of renewable energy sources.

Addressing these complexities requires significant technological advancement and collaborative effort. Automotive manufacturers are at the forefront, pushing the boundaries of battery technology to enhance energy density, reduce charging times, and improve durability. Fast-charging infrastructure development is equally critical to support longer journeys and public access. Companies like Ford are actively engaged in these efforts, investing heavily in developing next-generation battery chemistries and advanced charging solutions aimed at making EV ownership more practical and appealing for consumers.

However, a comprehensive view of electric mobility must extend beyond the vehicle's operational phase. The full lifecycle impact of EVs, including battery production, the source of electricity generation, and end-of-life battery management and recycling, must be acknowledged and addressed. Sustainable sourcing of materials, the decarbonization of electricity grids, and establishing circular economy principles for batteries are critical challenges. Ford is working to address these lifecycle impacts through supply chain initiatives, supporting renewable energy integration, and exploring battery recycling applications to close the loop.

Navigating this complex transition effectively necessitates strong collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers. The automotive sector recognizes the vital role of scientific research and is increasingly willing to collaborate with the scientific community, share relevant data where appropriate and feasible, and participate in open discussions to foster innovation and knowledge exchange.

Indeed, as the automotive industry adapts to embrace electrification, it presents significant and exciting opportunities for the scientific community. There is a pressing need for research across diverse fields, including advanced materials science for batteries and lightweighting, power electronics, grid optimization and smart charging solutions that interact intelligently with home energy systems. 

This current period of transformation offers fertile ground for scientific inquiry and the development of solutions that will shape the future of transport, energy, and daily life for millions.