Electric Vehicles
The world is all in on transforming the transportation industry with more eco-friendly mobility options, and electric vehicles (EVs) are leading the way. Automakers have committed to manufacturing and sales targets, governments have pledged funding, technology companies are delivering innovation and improvements, and new alliances are forming to support stated goals with infrastructure and materials.
At Morgan Lewis, we have a dedicated, multidisciplinary team that focuses on the nascent and evolving legal issues germane to the development and deployment of EVs. We advise and represent the full range of EV market participants, from global automakers and clean technology companies to charging station developers and utilities that are pursuing electrification initiatives.
Morgan Lewis is a market leader in advising businesses in the automotive and energy sectors. Our lawyers counsel these companies on complex transactions, building and protecting intellectual property portfolios, and crafting and implementing customized business, finance, and tax strategies. In particular, we advise EV market participants on issues relating to the following:
Energy & Environmental
- State and federal regulation of EV charging infrastructure and sales of energy to EV end-use customers
- Utility rate design and ratemaking for EV charging
- Development and commercial site host and marketing arrangements for network charging station owners and operators
- Purchasing and supply chain interactions with electric utilities
- Carbon emission regulation and related lawsuits
Intellectual Property
- Trademark and copyright registration, license and contract agreements, transactional due diligence
- IP litigation and patent prosecution
- Mechanical, electrical, hardware, and software technology counseling
- Data privacy and cybersecurity for networks and vehicles
Corporate & Tax
- Cross-border corporate and product acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, and joint ventures
- Licensing of EV technology
- Service outsourcing and product development and manufacturing
- Financings for automotive technology startups
- Tax issues for EV purchases, infrastructure development or procurement of various environmental credits
Litigation & Antitrust
- Disputes related to product development, technology, and intellectual property
- Litigation relating to green marketing, distributions, warranties, and product liability
