Quality Matters: An interview with Jonathan Drew, Head of Automotive & Transportation Testing Services, USA, on the opening of TÜV SÜD’s new Environmental Lab for EV battery testing in Auburn Hills
Question: Thank you for agreeing to this interview Jonathan, I know you are busy with TÜV SÜD’s new EV lab in Auburn Hills, Michigan so thank you for taking a break to speak with us on how TÜV SÜD is playing a huge part in the future of transportation. To start, please can you tell us your background and how you got into this business?
Drew, Jonathan
Yes, we are immensely proud of our new EV battery testing lab in the heart of Detroit. We at TÜV SÜD have been testing EV batteries for over 10 years in North America and we have finally made a permanent home here. It is extremely exciting. I am so proud to be a part of it.
As to my background, I am an engineer by trade. I spent almost 25 years in manufacturing in the Detroit area working for different automotive suppliers, including owning one of those supplier firms. I supplied the transportation industry, the same markets, and companies we deal with now: on-road and off-road vehicles, trucks, agricultural, powersports and military.
In 2015, I moved into the automotive testing world, as it fit my background. I was familiar with the technology and standards. I knew how the industry worked, I understood the customers, and I had many contacts. It was an easy transition.
Question: What are some things that you love about being the Head of Automotive and Transportation Testing Services for TÜV SÜD in the USA?
Drew, Jonathan
First, it is interesting, in manufacturing it was similar day to day, year after year. In testing, there are hundreds of customers and new products, and it is all leading-edge technology, because that is what TÜV SÜD does! We choose not to do offer testing in all areas; instead, we select specific niches and within those areas we are exceptionally skilled. It is fun to see innovative technology coming down the pike.
Second, I enjoy partnering with customers; working hand in hand to implement testing solutions that meet their needs and planning for what they may need in the future.
And third, I love working with the people within TÜV SÜD. My team working on transportation is superb, plus the support network across the entire company and specifically within global transportation is incredible. The backing for what we are doing in transportation in North America has been instrumental. It is really refreshing to have that type of culture within our group and across the company.
QUALITY MATTERS
Question:
How is TÜV SÜD taking part in global sustainability in the transportation services space?
Drew, Jonathan
The EV industry is a green one, and we are excited to be part of it, but we have high energy use at our own testing facility. So, what have we done about that at TÜV SÜD? Well, all the electricity coming into the new lab is from green sources i.e., wind or solar or hydro. Our site is a 100% green electric facility. It is important in Michigan to be able to do that. The battery testing itself also causes the release of particulates and gases. We have significant environmental scrubbing capacity to capture all of that. And globally TÜV SÜD has made significant efforts towards sustainability and stewardship of the environment. Our company has a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025. That is important to our customers, both at the OEM and the supplier levels.
“We are very proud of our new EV battery testing lab in the heart of Detroit. We at TÜV SÜD have been testing EV batteries for over 10 years in North America and we’ve finally made a permanent home here. It’s very exciting. I am so proud to be a part of it.” Johnathan Drew, Head of Automotive & Transportation Testing Services, USA.
Wakefield, MA. TÜV SÜD America Inc., a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services, opens its new state-of-the-art environmental laboratory in Auburn Hills, MI, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to advancing the highest quality and performance standards in EV battery and system solutions. Through rigorous product development and validation processes, TÜV SÜD ensures that EV batteries meet the highest standards of safety, reliability and sustainability in one of the most capable EV battery testing labs in the world.
“The EV industry is a green one, and we are excited to be part of it, but we have high energy use at our own testing facility. So, what have we done about that at TÜV SÜD? Well, all the electricity coming into the new lab is from green sources i.e., wind or solar or hydro. Our site is a 100% green electric facility. It is a big deal in Michigan to be able to do that. The battery testing itself also causes the release of particulates and gases. We have significant environmental scrubbing capacity to capture all of that. And globally TÜV SÜD has made great efforts towards sustainability and stewardship of the environment. Our company has a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025. That is important to our customers, both at the OEM and the supplier levels.” Jonathan Drew goes on to explain.
TÜV SÜD is helping to scope the future of transportation and Jonathan Drew talks through the capabilities of the new EV battery testing lab in Auburn Hills:
OUR EXPERTISE
We are a highly experienced 3rd-party independent lab, specializing in testing batteries in North America since 2009. With a global presence and extensive expertise in battery safety and abuse testing, our battery testing operations span across various countries, including the USA, Canada, Germany, China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Singapore.
We work closely with our clients to provide tailored solutions to meet their specific requirements. Our team of experts is always available to answer any questions you may have and provide support throughout the entire process.
At TÜV SÜD, we offer our customers over 100 years of global safety and certification experience, continuing to expand our capabilities in Michigan and throughout the USA.
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