Former NSC Robert C. O’Brien: U.S. Must Catch Up on EV and AV Automotive Technology

Electric and autonomous vehicles are taking center stage in America’s technology competition with China. This is a critical area where the United States could fall behind. 

American will have thousands of new jobs thanks to EV/AV technologies. The demand for these cars is increasing rapidly. Worldwide sales of EVs grew 13 percent last year to 5.2million, a 13 per cent increase over 2021. In 2027, EV sales will surpass 13,000,000. As a ride-sharing platform, AVs are getting more powerful and are slowly being introduced in major cities. 

China will be the leader in the production and development of EVs. These technologies are being supported by the CCP, which is investing huge subsidies in them. “China 2025” initiative. When it comes to producing batteries for EVs, China accounts for over 70 percent of the world’s supply. China is the world’s largest processor of vital energy minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements, which are crucial for EV batteries. Beijing will leverage its mining supply chain advantage over the U.S.A. and its allies Japan, as it did to us In 2010, during a diplomatic showdown. 

Notable Chinese advancements in AV technology are notable. Companies that are CCP-linked have access to vast amounts of PRC vehicle and consumer data, which they can use to improve their AV capabilities. AutoX, a Chinese AV company, has already revealed its autonomous vehicles. “Robo Taxis” in Shenzhen, China. As average Chinese customers use their taxis every day, it is setting a new standard. AutoX now plans to enter the U.S. market. The company will be launching its 2020 campaign. Approved California Department of Motor Vehicles offers testing “Robo Taxis” On public roads.

Reports also suggest that U.S. companies may collaborate with Chinese automakers over the next few years. China could fulfill the American demand to acquire AVs. This would jeopardize our national security. In such a case, the CCP would have unlimited intelligence collection possibilities.

In a recent letter August Pfluger (Texas) pointed out that the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had not provided oversight to allow such Chinese AV technologies for testing on American roads. He stated that “a lack of U.S. oversight in AV technology has opened the door for a foreign nation to spy on American soil, as Chinese companies potentially transfer critical data to the People’s Republic of China.” Congressman Pfluger is 100% correct.

China is so well aware of intelligence collection value of EVs, AVs, that it has its own There are restrictions on the ability of foreign-made vehicles to drive on roads near People’s Liberation Army bases and Chinese Communist Party meetings. 

American industry must catch up with China if it is to be successful in the EV/AV market. The U.S. government is expected to play a supporting part. America does not have enough domestic production and processing capacity for lithium, cobalt and manganese. America can easily extract most of what it needs here. The slow and tedious process of authorizing extraction and processing must be changed immediately.

Americans must be protected from Chinese AVs operating in America. 

America needs a forward-looking legal framework that will allow American AVs scale quickly.

Inflation Reduction Act, EV was an important first step to level the playing field with Beijing. The “Clean Vehicle Credit” Eligible EVs will be able to use batteries and minerals sourced from North American plants. This will increase demand for American EVs. The IRA should be implemented in the way it was intended to help American companies. The bill’s purpose is to encourage a domestic battery industry in the United States. Chinese companies must be excluded or we will simply end up assisting the CCP’s “China Dream” U.S. Tax dollars. 

Many states are leading the charge on this front. Virginia Governor Youngkin has rejected plans of CCP-linked battery maker CATL, to open a plant in Virginia and reap the benefits from state economic incentives. Sadly, other politicians, even in the aftermath of China’s spy balloon stunt, have not gotten the message. Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan governor, just approved $715million in incentives for Gotion, Inc., which is a Chinese company, in order to build a $2.4billion EV battery plant in Big Rapids. It’s a major win for Beijing.

America can beat China in the global competition and maintain its way of living. We can continue to be the beacon for freedom around the globe. Our tech advantage must be maintained in order to win. We must continue to develop and produce EVs, AVs, and their batteries domestically if we are to maintain our technological edge.

Robert C. O’Brien American Global Strategies LLC’s Co-founder and Chairman. He was the 27th United States National Security Advisor from 2019 – 2021. O’Brien served as the President’s principal advisor in all aspects of American foreign policy and national security affairs. O’Brien brought a renewed focus on defense and industrial base issues to the NSC. A long-time advocate of sea power and a 355-ship Navy, O’Brien visited leading shipyards during his tenure. O’Brien spent time with our troops at various bases and at defense plants. During O’Brien’s time as National Security Advisor, the United States orchestrated the historic Abraham Accords in the Middle East, brokered economic normalization between Serbia and Kosovo, achieved significant defense spending increases among our NATO allies, and increased cooperation with America’s allies across the Indo-Pacific. Before serving as NSA, O’Brien was the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs with the personal rank of Ambassador. Over 25 hostages and detainees were returned to the United States by O’Brien. O’Brien previously served as Co-Chairman of the U.S. Department of State Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan under both Secretaries of State Rice and Clinton.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases