(Las Vegas, Nevada) — November 9, 2021
On November 8, day nine of Charge Across America (CAA), the US’ first-ever cross-country electric vehicle rally, the five teams of drivers began their trek in Flagstaff, Arizona and concluded in Las Vegas, Nevada.
That evening, participants, government officials, innovators, and media professionals convened at a reception at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, hosted by Lithium Americas, which is working to build and operate Thacker Pass, the largest known lithium resource in the US.
Several influential leaders in the electric vehicle space addressed the crowd and shared their thoughts on emerging technologies and the critical role Nevada plays in the transition to EVs.
The following speakers shared remarks, and underscored the state’s unique position to mine lithium in the US, the key component in producing electric vehicle batteries:
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Tyre Gray, President of the Nevada Mining Association, Michael Brown, Director of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Chair of the Clark County Board of Commissioners, Mike Landau, CEO of ParkMyFleet and Platinum Sponsor of CAA and Kristin Slanina, Managing Director of CAA.
“Nevada’s emergence as a world leader in the lithium-ion battery economy is such great news, and it couldn’t come at a better time,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “We are committed to transforming that convoluted supply-chain and utilizing the assets we have in Nevada to bring profound environmental benefits to the battery manufacturing and recycling process. We know how to do these projects right.”
Raising awareness goes hand-in-hand with mining critical resources, the speakers noted.
“By undertaking this journey, these [Charge Across America] teams are making a major statement to the public, to policymakers, and to manufacturers: that off the lot, electric vehicles are fully capable of traveling coast to coast,” said Michael Brown. “To help fuel the electric vehicle boom on the horizon, the lithium supply-chain is being developed right here in our backyard.”
Charge Across America, which kicked off in New York City on Oct. 31 and will conclude in Los Angeles on Nov. 9, aims to demystify electric vehicles and highlight key gains in the electric vehicle space across the US.
“Every stop during Charge Across America has been illuminating, in terms of learning about how different cities and states are responding to, and meeting, the EV revolution,” said Mike Landau, CEO of ParkMyFleet, a mobility company that’s serving as a platinum sponsor throughout the 10-day event.
“Being able to spend time in Las Vegas was especially exciting because right here in Nevada is where we’re going to see some of the greatest developments to ensure that drivers will be able to transition to EVs with ease.”
The event in Las Vegas was also sponsored by Albemarle, Comstock, American Battery, Panasonic, and Ioneer, all brought together by Lithium Americas.
The entirety of Charge Across America event is being filmed by TangentVector, an award-winning production company, which will produce a documentary about this groundbreaking rally.
On Nov. 9, the five teams are expected to cross the finish line in Los Angeles. Learn more about the grand finale here.
For media inquiries, please reach out to:
Eleanor Fox, EFox@ParkMyFleet.com
To learn more, visit ChargeAcrossAmerica.com and check out our social media accounts!
Twitter: @AcrossCharge
IG: @Charge_Across_America
LinkedIn: Charge Across America
FB: @ChargeAcrossAmerica