Is the US backing out of the electric vehicle market?

This episode of Science Friday explores whether the United States is falling behind in the global electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy race, particularly in comparison to China. Host Ira Flato shares his personal experience of struggling to find available EVs in the U.S., highlighting how many models are being discontinued while Chinese manufacturers like BYD surge in global sales. Guest Kyle Chan, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, explains how China’s aggressive industrial policy—supporting everything from battery production to EV manufacturing—has enabled it to dominate global markets in solar, wind, batteries, drones, and more. He contrasts this with the U.S.’s historically hands-off approach, now being reconsidered due to supply chain vulnerabilities and the climate crisis. Chan argues that while the U.S. may be at risk of becoming an energy 'Galapagos Island,' technological breakthroughs like fast-charging and falling battery costs are already enabling a global green transition. Other nations, including Canada, Europe, Japan, and South Korea, are actively investing in clean tech, suggesting the U.S. could still catch up if it embraces industrial policy and strategic investment. Key takeaways include the importance of government-led industrial policy in driving green innovation, the transformative potential of fast-charging technology like BYD’s megawatt charging, and the urgency for the U.S. to re-engage with clean energy leadership. The episode underscores that the future of transportation and energy is not just about individual technologies, but about integrated ecosystems powered by batteries and renewables. With global momentum building, the U.S. risks being left behind unless it adopts a more proactive strategy.