How collaboration with China can revitalize US automotive innovation

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Helveston, John P. (2025) “How collaboration with China can revitalize US automotive innovation” Science. 390(6772), pg. 446-448. DOI: 10.1126/science.adz0541

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China leads EVs; • U.S. should work with them to • spark innovation

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Abstract:

This article proposes that strategic collaboration with China can revitalize American competitiveness in the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) industry. Chinese manufacturers have established a commanding lead in electric vehicle technology, offering vehicles with superior range performance at significantly lower prices, with China’s PEV market reaching 12.86 million sales (46.7% of new vehicles) in 2024 compared to just 1.56 million (9.8%) in the U.S. Comparisons of historically successful engagement with foreign competition, such as Tesla’s entry into China, demonstrate that collaboration rather than isolation can yield mutual benefits. The paper calls for a policy framework that takes effective security solutions while pursuing strategic collaboration rather than isolation to accelerate innovation. This approach presents a pragmatic pathway to maintain global competitiveness while addressing climate goals and avoiding the risk of the U.S. becoming an isolated “island of tailpipes” in a rapidly electrifying global automotive market.

Bibtex:

@article{helveston2025collaboration,
  title={How collaboration with China can revitalize US automotive innovation},
  author={Helveston, John Paul},
  journal={Science},
  volume={390},
  number={6772},
  pages={446--448},
  year={2025},
  publisher={American Association for the Advancement of Science}
}