- The initiative involves actors from the governmental, industrial and academic sectors of Mexico and the US
- It will address the challenges faced by the automotive industry as it transitions to electric vehicles
Today, the Foreign Ministry presented the Mexico-United States Electric Vehicle Working Group, a high-level initiative developed jointly by the Foreign Ministry and the University of California. Leading actors from government, industry and academia in both Mexico and the United States are participating in the project.
The goal of the initiative is to ensure a coordinated and strategic transition towards electromobility. This includes intersectoral and triple helix work in five main thematic areas: 1. Innovation; 2. Human capital; 3. Provider development; 4. Infrastructure development; and 5. Governance structures.
Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard led the announcement of the binational working group, saying that Mexico and the United States will move forward together in the transition towards electromobility. This follows up on an agreement reached at the recent North American Leaders' Summit.
"The most important thing that happened at the North American Leaders Summit... is that we revived a vision of North America," said the Foreign Secretary. "Now... we have a shared vision in many areas, and this is one of them," he added.
In his remarks, Secretary Ebrard gave special thanks to the University of California and California Governor Gavin Newsom for their willingness to design a common plan and roadmap for the transition to electromobility.
The three sectors will now hold the first sessions of the working groups. The goal will be to hold regular meetings to draft a binational roadmap this year with a detailed diagnosis of both countries' automotive sectors and their areas of opportunities in the transition to electric vehicles.
Today's event kicks off a project that seeks to consolidate Mexico's medium- and long-term leadership position in manufacturing vehicles and parts and to attract investment in order to transition towards coordinated, efficient and reliable electromobility that provides inclusive development opportunities for the communities and people in our country, with a view towards regional economic development.
Attending the event virtually were Deputy Secretary David Turk, U.S. Department of Energy; California Energy Commissioner Patty Monahan; Liane Randolph, Chair of the California Air Resources Board; and José W. Fernández, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, U.S. Department of State.
Attending for Mexico, in addition to the Foreign Secretary, were Martha Delgado, Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Foreign Ministry; Mónica Duhem, head of the Global Economic Intelligence Unit, Finance Ministry; Luz Elena del Castillo, President and CEO of Ford Mexico; Francisco Garza, President and CEO of General Motors Mexico; Bruno Cattori, President and CEO of Stellantis Mexico; and Isabel Studer, University of California.
