Alabamians curious about electric vehicles will have six opportunities over the next several weeks to get a closer look at everything from full-size electric pickups to sports cars — and talk with the people who drive them every day.

New-vehicle owners are happier overall with their cars than they were last year, but people who bought EVs have the biggest smiles on their faces. That’s according to JD Power’s 2026 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study, which gauges “owners’ emotional attachment and level of excitement with their new vehicle.”

Drivers got behind the wheel of the latest electric vehicles Saturday as Drive Electric Alabama hosted its inaugural EV Ride & Drive Experience at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

The free event gave dozens of attendees the opportunity to test drive a variety of electric vehicles on a closed course while learning more about EV ownership from industry representatives and current owners.

Right now, gas prices are on the rise across the US this morning. The national average is $3.88/gallon. That’s a rise of 34 cents from this time last week according to AAA. So everybody’s looking for a way to ease what they’re paying at the pump.

Americans have seen this cycle before: Gas prices surge, and family budgets feel it almost overnight.

Instability tied to the Iran conflict has rattled global oil markets and sent gasoline prices climbing.

Owners of electric vehicles will soon be able to fuel up at the Creek Travel Store in Atmore.

Some Walmart customers in 19 states, including Alabama, will soon notice a change in their store’s parking lot.

EV owners displayed a variety of EVs, including SUVs and full-sized pick-up trucks, at Saturday’s EVent, as members of the Birmingham Chapter of Drive Electric Alabama talked one-on-one with anyone interested in learning more about EV costs, technology, range and charging infrastructure. Many bragged about their costs savings on fuel and maintenance when comparing an EV to a gas-powered vehicle.

Automotive manufacturing is a huge part of Alabama’s economy — it’s the state’s top export, supports more than 50,000 jobs and drives billions in investment.

In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the skyscrapers of American prosperity. Now, we are a top state for automotive manufacturing and the No. 1 automotive exporter in the U.S.