Watch CBS News

Michigan Matters: "Our Electric Future" Michigan gearing up

(CBS Detroit) - As a  flurry of electric vehicles and battery plants continue to be announced, our region is gearing up for that new powering reality and other changes coming about as our cars, bikes, homes and businesses are increasingly moving towards electrification. 

Are we ready for this revolution? How are companies, communities and leaders adjusting? And how are we helping to make sure young people are prepared for this technology revolution? 

Bob Lutz
Bob Lutz showing Carol Cain his auto collection at his home. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Mujeeb Ijaz, Our Next Energy Inc.
Mujeeb Ijaz, Founder and CEO, Our Next Energy Inc., showing Carol Cain how to drive his 1922 Detroit Electric Car... His start up battery company is looking to revolutionize how electric vehicles are powered. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Mujeeb Ijaz Driving His Electric Car
Mujeeb Ijaz driving his 1922 Detroit Electric Car. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Dave Coulter
Oakland County Executive, Dave Coulter (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Mike Duggan
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan talks with Carol Cain. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Darren Palmer
Darren Palmer, General Manager of Battery Electric Vehicles for Ford Motor Company talks with Carol Cain. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Ray Scott
Lear President and CEO, Ray Scott talks with Carol Cain. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Joe Grace
Vice President, Head of Physical and Functional Design and Integration of Stellantis, Joe Grace, talks with Carol Cain. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Vuk Milojkovic
CEO of BASF Today America LLC, Vuk Milojkovic, talks with Carol Cain.
William Shatner
Actor and now astronaut, William Shatner talk with Carol Cain. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, talks with Carol Cain. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Natalie King
Founder and CEO of Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, Natalie King, talks with Carol Cain. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
John Smith
Owner of Pedego Walled Lake & Great Lakes Segway, John Smith, talks with Carol Cain. (Credit: CBS Detroit)
Carol Cain Riding Pedego Electric Bik
Carol Cain learning to ride a Pedego Electric Bike. (Credit: CBS Detroit)

Tune in at 8 a.m. this Sunday when an encore of the Emmy winning "Eye on the Future: Our Electric Future" special airs as  Carol Cain, Senior Producer/Host, Paul Pytlowany, News Director, and Tim Brown, Videographer, take viewers on a riveting 30-minute ride as they visit with leaders and those at the forefront to hear about this transformation. Among the highlights: 

Auto industry icon Bob Lutz, who was the force behind GM's Volt a decade ago, talks about the three Detroit automakers and their products, as well as thoughts on Elon Musk. 

Star Trek actor William Shatner, not long after his real-life voyage into space at the age of 90, discusses his love affair with electric bikes and fast cars. 

Also appearing in this special: 

*President Joe Biden  

*U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm   

*General Motors Chairman/CEO Mary Barra   

*Bill Ford, Executive Chair, Ford Motor Company   

*Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer   

*Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan    

*Jerry Norcia, President and CEO, DTE Energy   

*Ray Scott, President and CEO, Lear Corp   

*Joe Grace, Vice President, Head of Physical and Functional Design & Integration, Stellantis   

*Vuk Milojkovic, CEO, BASF Toda America LLC   

*Ka C Cheok,  Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Oakland University  

* Stephanie Brinley, Automotive Analyst, HIS Markit  

**John McElroy, Host, Autoline   

*Darren Palmer,  General Manager, Battery Electric Vehicles, Ford Motor Company   

*Ken Morris, Vice President of Electric & Autonomous Vehicles, GM   

*Mujeeb Ijaz, Founder and CEO, Our Next Energy Inc.    

*John Smith, Owner, Pedego Walled Lake & Great Lakes Segway   

*Gerard White, Senior Engineer, Tesla  

*Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter 

*Steve Nalu, owner, Towns Mart Marathon Center   

*Natalie King, Founder and CEO, Dunamis Clean Energy Partners   

 *Benjamin Grudzien, Robotic Software Engineer, Pratt Miller  

*Alyssa Musienko, Oakland University Student  

*Michelle L. Reaves, Executive Director, DAPCEP    

*Gerard White, Senior Engineer, Tesla  

* Bia Hamad, Director , K-12 STEM Outreach at EMU  

Watch CBS Detroit's "Eye on the Future: Our Electric Future" airing 8:00 am this Sunday.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.