Ivey: Alabama is electric vehicle 'industry giant'

Alabama has become “an industry giant” in electric vehicle manufacturing, according to Gov. Kay Ivey.

Ivey’s opening remarks Wednesday kick-started the inaugural Drive Electric Alabama EV Summit in Birmingham.

The summit featured discussions regarding state leadership’s efforts to attract EV automotive manufacturers to Alabama along other EV-related topics.

Panels of industry experts, elected officials and manufacturing executives touched on topics related to charging technology, EV charging’s effect on the power grid, among other key issues.

“Over the course of the last thirty years or so, Alabama has gone from not being on the map in the automotive sector to being an industry giant,” said Ivey. “Today, we are one of America’s top five producers and exporters of cars and light trucks. Like our college football, we’re proud of the standard of excellence we set with our automotive industry, but it’s no secret that this is an industry changing by the day.

“In the last several years, we’ve seen an entirely new market emerge for many automotive manufacturers, and it’s clear that EVs are on the rise and will continue gain popularity among drivers. Our foundation is strong, but we must continue to lay the groundwork for tomorrow, and that starts right here, right now.”

The summit showcased leadership’s initiatives to promote the industry, which included vendor booths and seminars focused on state and federal grants available in Alabama to install EV-charging infrastructure.

“Drive Electric Alabama,” a statewide coalition dedicated to educating the public about the emerging field, is led by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Alabama initiatives help make the state an attractive destination for EV manufacturers, according to ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell.

“We are here to promote our automobile industry, and if EVs are the direction the industry is going in, then we want to do everything we can do to help make sure the jobs and the economic investment of this emerging industry come to Alabama, instead of to our neighboring states,” said Boswell.

Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association President Ron Davis touched on the Yellowhammer State’s robust automotive industry and spoke to the need for it to remain competitive.

“Virtually every major automaker around the globe has announced plans to electrify its fleet,” said Davis. “Automobile manufacturers clearly see EVs as the future of the industry – that’s why they’re pouring billions of dollars into research and development.

“As the number four auto exporting state, Alabama’s automobile manufacturing sector has a large impact on Alabama’s economy and employs tens of thousands of Alabamians with good-paying jobs. It is important that Alabama stays competitive so that the next generation of automobiles are built here instead of in neighboring states.”

EV use is a cost-effective way of cutting maintenance and fuel costs for consumers, said Davis.

“Electric vehicles also make financial sense for consumers, especially now with gas prices skyrocketing at the pump,” he said. “Owning an EV also means major savings on maintenance costs, with the average EV driver saving anywhere from $6,000-$10,000 over the life of the vehicle.

“As EV technology advances, the performance margin between electric cars and gas-powered vehicles becomes greater, as do other metrics such as selection of EVs, driving range, and availability of charging stations.”

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL