Driving to Zero: The auto industry's road map to carbon neutrality

The auto industry's shift to carbon neutrality is here, and it's accelerating. But is it enough?Driving to Zero is a new podcast series from Automotive News that looks at the auto industry's roadmap to carbon neutrality. We take a big-picutre look at the environmental, political and social trends pushing the move toward a greener future. And we pull back the curtain on how these decisions are being made at the highest levels.Join host Jake Neher and Automotive News Executive Editor Jamie Butters on Driving to Zero, available wherever you get your podcasts starting September 11th, 2023.

Against the backdrop of a warming planet and urgent calls for climate action, the auto industry is looking to play a pivotal role in cutting carbon emissions. This episode looks at the industry's early days transforming American mobility, how that sets the stage for its present-day attempts to go green, and ongoing criticism from environmental groups who say the industry continues to “fuel the climate crisis.” 

Late September 2017 is a pivotal moment in General Motors' history. Discover how GM's leadership grappled with the need to embrace a sweeping change, and how the company went from doubting its own electrification ambitions to proudly proclaiming, “General Motors believes in an all-electric future.” 

Toyota has gone from being an environmental darling, lauded for pioneering hybrid technology, to a pariah among many conservationists. Gill Pratt, CEO of the Toyota Research Institute, defends the company's commitment to hybrids. And we hear from environmental activists and former government officials who say the world's largest auto company is dangerously dragging its feet. 

Carbon reduction is not just about automakers. Suppliers are playing a crucial role in the industry's carbon neutrality efforts. Host Jake Neher and Automotive News Executive Editor Jamie Butters visit Magna International's Plastcoat facility in Brampton, Ont., and get a glimpse of its eco-friendly practices — from energy-efficient manufacturing to employee-driven sustainability initiatives. They explore how companies like Magna are responding to demands from customers, employees and other stakeholders to reduce carbon footprints. 

The world's third-largest automaker has big ambitions for sustainability. In an interview with Automotive News publisher KC Crain, Hyundai's global COO and North American CEO Jose Munoz explains Hyundai's big vision, and what the company's learned as they've worked to make it a reality. This episode was paid for by Hyundai and produced by the Automotive News Content Studio, without involvement from Automotive News editorial staff. 

More than ever before, energy utilities are becoming a key supplier to the auto industry as it looks to reduce emissions. Companies such as DTE Energy in Southeast Michigan are working directly with auto manufacturers to supply factories with renewable energy while offsetting fossil fuel consumption. In this episode, Jake Neher and Jamie Butters tour DTE's 250-acre solar park and explore the many ways utilities are partnering with the industry. Plus, a conversation with Ford Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Bob Holycross.

From 2009 to 2012, the EPA's Margo Oge served as the architect of the U.S. government's first-ever formal action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. In this episode, Oge and Ford sustainability chief Bob Holycross talk about that landmark deal between the Obama Administration and automakers, as well as the lessons it offers for regulators and industry insiders today. We also hear from General Motors' former chief economist, Elaine Buckberg, about what the Inflation Reduction Act and other recent federal laws mean for the industry's move toward electric vehicles.

While the electrification revolution is well underway, getting to a world of zero emissions will be tough without the help of new technologies. Breakthroughs such as scalable solid-state batteries and clean hydrogen could someday propel the industry — and the world — toward a greener future.In this episode, we hear from Faurecia Hydrogen Solutions Engineering Director Charles Shappell about the emerging hydrogen business. Factorial Energy CEO Siyu Huang talks about her company's novel solid-state battery technology. And mechanical engineer Rosie Barnes evaluates those and other technologies for their carbon reducing potential. 

While much of the groundwork has been laid for the auto industry's transition to carbon neutrality, many obstacles remain. This episode looks into the future of the decarbonizing auto industry, exploring the key developments, emerging trends and strategies that are shaping a more sustainable automotive landscape.