China is winning the race to clean energy

China is winning the race to clean energy

Tom Steyer, The Independent We are seeing unprecedented excitement around climate action and clean energy opportunities right now. You need look no further than the celebrity-packed Super Bowl commercial a few weeks ago on electric vehicles. Detroit automakers committing to 100 per cent electric vehicles is a big change - and a big deal. However, all the Biden administration's bold and necessary executive actions - as well as the commitments from American businesses to a clean energy future - don't change the fundamental fact that we are behind. Years of climate denial, coordinated misinformation campaigns, and investing in the status quo energy system have put America behind in the global competition to create the clean energy future. What does it mean to say we are behind? Well, right now, China is winning the global race to invent and manufacture the technology and tools for the future. Both China and European countries have made it a national priority to create a competitive edge in the new clean energy economy. Six of the top ten battery suppliers and manufacturers are Chinese. The EU provides tax benefits and purchase incentives to buy EVs in a way that far eclipses the limited incentives here