Detroit was the origin for putting the world on wheels, and was ultimately dubbed the Motor City. Yet, the way we drive is slowly changing. The automotive industry has hit the accelerator button in its transition to produce electric powered vehicles.
Americans have been paying more at the pump, and the rising costs have led some owners of gasoline-powered cars to seek an alternative.
The federal government has also pursued a policy to push for renewable energy to address climate change and reducing greenhouse emissions for an increasingly warmer planet. One of the ways it hopes to conduct such policy is by incentivizing the cost for manufacturers and drivers.
One of the driving factors for whether consumers will choose to purchase an electric vehicle is not only the cost, but also the lack of infrastructure needed to charge the batteries of electric cars.
“There are a lot of programs to spearhead EV infrastructure,” said Q Johnson, president of both Plug Zen L.L.C. and Q Works L.L.C.
“The money is there [federal funding] and in workforce development that will create jobs for underserved or disadvantaged people. But it’s not just the government responsibility as they are not the only stakeholder. There are a lot of businesses that will benefit from electric vehicles.”
Johnson is focused on developing new technologies, processes and strategies for application within the automotive industry. He collaborates with original equipment manufacturers and automotive tier suppliers to pilot, launch and fully implement these innovations and strategies, according to his company’s profile.
His automotive career at Ford Motor Company progressed, where from 1996 to 2007 he worked in the New Model Development Center as a Prototype Specialist and Lean Management Consultant. In this role, Johnson worked closely with engineers and vendors to develop new products and processes to ensure future vehicle models were produced to the highest quality standards, employing the most efficient methods. Most of these vehicles were alternative fuel vehicles such as hybrid electric and natural which gave him insight into the technologies that showed the most promise, which were electric vehicles, according to his biography.
He believes to drive down costs for consumers and to pave the way for advancing the output on batteries for electrics cars, everyone has to play their role.
“We’re talking about the automakers, the utility companies and then there are investors making money on EV infrastructure.”
The narrative has been that most electric cars have has a starting price for over $60K, but Q rebukes the idea that EV is expensive, rather the automakers are bringing the price right in range now with gasoline powered cars for less than $30k.
The other case for electric vehicles is the cost it will have on the environment but in a good way.
“Over 40 percent of power produced today is used through renewable energy so we have the capacity to double that over the next few years. We’re reducing greenhouse gases not eliminating [them].”
Johnson saw the potential for EV being the future of the market over 10 years ago during his time as an engineer for Ford. His vision and experience is putting his company and product in the lineup to be a part of the new and growing market for charging batteries of electric cars.
“Right now we are working with several entities and I see us being an integral player for workplace charging and within disadvantaged communities.”
About Post Author
