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.

A variety of electric vehicles will be on display at two events in north Alabama over the next two weeks. Electric vehicle owners will be on hand to talk with anyone interested in owning the vehicles.

The U.S. is improving its charging speed, with states like Alabama and Kentucky making significant gains in the rankings.

“There’s no better way to learn what it’s like to drive electric than to talk to a of real-life EV owner,” said Henry Brewster, a leader with the Bay Area Chapter of Drive Electric Alabama who helped plan Saturday’s EVent. “We hope to see a big crowd Saturday.”

Electric vehicle purchases are on the rise in Alabama and across the nation. Only about 1% of registered vehicles in the U.S. are currently electric, but EVs account for nearly 8% of new car purchases, which means a rising number of people are making the switch, even here in Alabama.

Local officials gathered at the Love’s convenience store on Highway 280 in Smiths Station for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new charging station.

A new electric vehicle charging station at Cumberland Farms in Orange Beach will benefit the local economy by giving tourists and local EV owners an additional place for convenient charging.

Local officials joined representatives from EG America, a convenience store retailer with over 1,500 locations across the country, to celebrate the new EV charging station on Wednesday with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Cumberland Farms, located at 23679 Canal Road in Orange Beach.

Mark Turner offered an unusual perspective about driving electric during Saturday’s Birmingham Earth Day EV Showcase at The Market at Pepper Place.

Turner has put nearly 110,000 miles on his all-electric Chevrolet Bolt in less than two years as a ride-share driver.

Steve Henderson had never driven an electric vehicle before Saturday.

But after slipping behind the wheel of an all-electric Chevrolet Silverado pickup provided by Donohoo Chevrolet at Little River Earth Fest in Fort Payne, Henderson walked away with a new appreciation for what an EV can do.