Print    Respond to Editor    Reprints  

Electrifying 100

Battery makers, utilities, charging companies and automakers -- here are 100 people making a difference

Dave Guilford
Follow Dave on
Automotive News -- June 13, 2011 - 12:01 am ET
In the past couple of years, it became clear that this wave of interest in vehicle electrification would differ from past industry forays into alternative propulsion. It was going to be broader and more sustained. Hybrids had spread through automakers' lineups. But more dramatically, new car companies were springing up to create battery-powered electric vehicles. That's why, late last year, we decided to take a closer look at the key players driving vehicle electrification. You're looking at the result, the Electrifying 100.

Something's happening out there.

In the past couple of years, it became clear that this wave of interest in vehicle electrification would differ from past industry forays into alternative propulsion. It was going to be broader and more sustained.

Hybrids had spread through automakers' lineups. But more dramatically, new car companies were springing up to create battery-powered electric vehicles. Mainstream automakers were paying attention, moving to produce EVs and plug-in hybrids.

That's why, late last year, we decided to take a closer look at the key players driving vehicle electrification.

You're looking at the result, the Electrifying 100.

As soon as we had decided to go forward, though, we realized that we had a major challenge. Many movers in vehicle electrification were familiar to us: leading automakers and suppliers. But many were not.

If EVs are to sell in significant numbers, it will require collaboration involving the traditional industry and new automakers, battery makers, government, utilities, advocacy groups, makers of chargers and other infrastructure equipment, investors and -- oh, yes -- big-budget customers who can jump-start the market with fleet purchases.

Being journalists, we talked to loads of people, using our contacts and those of our staff in the United States, Europe and Asia. We solicited nominations in print and online. Then a committee sifted, debated, researched and sifted some more.

We were helped enormously by Daron Gifford, a knowledgeable consultant who recently started his own company, Santa Maria Associates, and Al Kammerer, a retired Ford executive who had been product development director for Jaguar and Land Rover.

That produced a list including some major industry leaders, such as Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, and some outside influencers, such as President Barack Obama.

Geographically, it runs from Korean battery makers to California EV true believers to the mayor of Paris.

We hope the Electrifying 100 stirs debate and serves as a snapshot of this fascinating, tumultuous time in automotive history.