Directly Current Episode 27: Building a Better Battery (in America) with Deeana Ijaz, Our Next Energy
🎧 Listen on Audioboom
📺 Watch on YouTube
Our Next Energy (ONE) is building LFP battery cells in Michigan. If you’re an EV nerd, you know that’s a big deal.
LFP chemistry is the key to affordable, long-lasting EVs. China currently dominates this space, controlling not just the raw materials but also the intellectual property and manufacturing capacity. ONE is working to change that.
A few years ago, ONE gained attention with a bold concept: a hybrid battery called Gemini that combined LFP with an anode-free, manganese-rich chemistry. In a BMW iX chassis, they demonstrated a range that doubled the factory version. The Gemini battery didn’t make it to market, but it showed what could be possible.
Since then, ONE has been focused on scaling American-made LFP batteries for both electric vehicles and energy storage. That second part matters more than ever, especially with the rising demands from AI and data centers and a power grid that can’t be upgraded fast enough.
This week, Max speaks with Deeana Ijaz, Chief Strategist at ONE. She is the daughter of founder and CEO Mujeeb Ijaz and brings a background in neuroscience and public health to her leadership role. At a time of major disruption across the industry, she is helping guide ONE’s next chapter.
▶️ Watch the episode: YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform
Resources and Links:
Our Next Energy’s (ONE) website
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