60 seconds with...Paul Jones, Northern Automotive Alliance

As chair of this year's Electrified Vehicle Engineering, Paul shares his opinion on the pressing challenges and key considerations that engineers working across the automotive sector.

For further details of the Electrified Vehicle Engineering conference and to join the discussions, visit the event website.

Could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience related to the focus of this event?

Paul Jones (PJ): I am the CEO of the Northern Automotive Alliance, a trade association supporting the automotive supply chain across the North of England, particularly with the transition to zero emission forms of propulsion.

What, in your experience, has been the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years?

PJ: Uncertainty around the legislative landscape, particularly with respect to the phase out of ICE and what will be compliant during this transition phase.

What key topics are you excited to discuss at this year's conference?

PJ: The broader aspects of Electrified Vehicle Engineering, beyond batteries, power electronics, motors and drives.

What do you consider to be the key areas of innovation in this industry, both in the UK and internationally?

PJ: Vehicle charging technologies and range capabilities.

Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?

PJ: there's a broad range of speakers covering almost every aspect of electric vehicle engineering at the conference.

Why is it important for engineers to join this conference?

PJ: This is a unique forum for engineering professionals to network and share best practice on the latest emerging technologies that will shape the future of the automotive sector both nationally and globally.

The Electrified Vehicle Engineering conference will take place on 21-22 October as part of the IMechE's Advancing Automotive Engineering summit.

Bringing together engineers from across the automotive landscape, the conference expands on previous conferences by sharing updates and technical innovations related not just to batteries but powertrains, charging, software, security, AI and much more.

Join to hear technical updates from engineers at Ford, JLR, Advanced Propulsion Centre, Connected Kerb, MAHLE Powertrain, AVL, and many others; for the full agenda and to book your place, please visit the event website.