the larger issue for ourselves and a lot of other parts suppliers and oems is the global supply chain said jim kamsickas ceo dana inc while talking about coronavirus impact on the companys business image prnewswire toledo at auto parts maker dana inc ceo jim kamsickas is like everyone else in the business trying to manage competing needs for spending on electric vehicles of the future while keeping business associated with the internal combustion engine so far the toledo ohiobased company has taken steps to make the transition largely by purchasing smaller firms with expertise in electric propulsion systems and the software to control them advt since kamsickas joined dana in 2015 the company has bought 11 smaller companies seven of them in electric vehicles hes trying to change the maker of axles gears and transmissions for petroleumpowered vehicles so it can compete now and in the future kamsickas spoke with the associated press about when electric vehicles will transport us all as well as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in china questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity q how long will it be until batterypowered vehicles replace those powered by the internal combustion engine a thats the milliondollar question that everybody doesnt have the answer for every market is going to be different every region is going to be different the bus market in china was kind of a first mover we have something to the effect of 18000 buses on the road right now with full dana electric powertrain systems over there material forklifts have been electric forever a lot of people will call the next big area if its not small passenger cars it would be lastmile deliverytype trucks because of the inner city the emissions issues not to mention that you only need x amount of charge to go eight hours you dont have to have this big infrastructure i cant tell you passenger cars are going to all be electric by 2030 theyre all going to come in chunks theyre all going to be different by market q last month dana announced a collaboration with kenworth on an electric powertrain for mediumduty delivery and shorthaul trucks do you think well see electric vehicles on the road in commercial uses first advt a in commercial vehicles its that lastmile drive usually thats the mediumduty segment thats coming faster because thats where the demand goes its right now if theres enough movement because people are into no emissions if theyre into esg environmental social and governance investing if theyre into sustainability all of the key things that everybody is more focused on especially in inner cities there is going to be more demand all these trucks that typically have more emissions than a standard passenger car likely theres going to be more focus on getting those corrected if the companies believe they need to make sure that they set the right tone for those customers theyd better have trucks that say green