Overview
CES Tech Talk podcast, in season 6, features interviews with experts bringing you an insider’s look at what’s new and trending in consumer technology and at CES. New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe to get the latest. Well known worldwide for electronic products, Panasonic is a major player in the electric vehicle space with American-made EV batteries that power Teslas and other vehicles. In episode 30, Panasonic’s Megan Myungwon Lee discusses the company’s expanding operations in the U.S.
A household name, the Panasonic brand can probably be found under most American roofs. Now, Panasonic is increasingly showing up in consumers’ garages as the company has increased U.S. production of EV batteries. The power underpinning Tesla vehicles, Panasonic batteries are big business for the company as it expands operations and manufacturing in the U.S. The company’s North American chair and CEO, Megan Myungwon Lee, explains how Panasonic’s commitment to sustainability, and to the American market, is driving its next sustainability innovations. Find out what’s happening in episode 30, Panasonic Powers EVs with Sustainability Tech, of the CES Tech Talk podcast series.
Takeaways
- Panasonic has an aggressive sustainability program in place, and has committed to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2030.
- A robust presence in the U.S. includes a recently announced factory in Kansas, a $4 billion investment that will be operational in 2025.
- At CES 2023, Panasonic exhibited a range of sustainability technologies and products, among them the Perovskite solar cell, a highly energy-efficient and ultra-lightweight device designed with Panasonic’s inkjet-coating technology and materials. It can be used in residential and commercial applications.
- The company also displayed technology that can help in the development of zero-emission towns by extracting hydrogen without emitting CO2. The display showcased methods for CO2-free green hydrogen production.
They Said It
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Panasonic…started as a consumer electronics company with the TVs and phones and so forth, and we still have the presence in CE area. But, as of today, what we announced at CES…is all about sustainability. So one thing that we're really excited about, near term, is our EV battery production that we have been producing in Reno, Nevada, for several years now -- very successfully, partnering with Tesla.
Megan Myungwon Lee (00:55)
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[W]e have the awareness that what works better for the environment. We should try and adapt to that behavior. I don't think it's going to be easy changing human behavior, but Panasonic definitely wants to contribute to the evolution of transportation that's more eco-friendly.
Megan Myungwon Lee (06:40)
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Panasonic at CES 2023
CTA member Panasonic was showcased at CES via Central Hall exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and a session in the C Space Studio at ARIA.
Megan Myungwon Lee, Chair and CEO, Panasonic North America
With more than 30 years of experience, Megan leads the growth strategy for Panasonic North America, and is responsible for guiding its business evolution. She has been instrumental in spearheading new business initiatives, strategic planning, and the company’s diversity and inclusion strategy. Megan serves as Board Chair of the Panasonic Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides disadvantaged students with the skills and credentials needed to lead fulfilling and successful lives in a global 21st century economy.
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