Whether it’s mining of essential elements for batteries, advanced manufacturing and the associated high-paying jobs or just freedom from the pump for owners, electric vehicles (EVs) are a vital part of Alabama’s future. Those were among the assertions at the recent Drive Electric Alabama EV Summit at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Presented by the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the summit offered a wide range of reasons why the state wants to see EV growth. Economic development officials, automotive manufacturers, state agencies, Alabama Power and others weighed in on what they are doing in the EV space.