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.

Alabama Power came together with state leaders Thursday to discuss the future of electric vehicles in Alabama.

“Some fifty organizations, many of whom are here today, have joined together to ensure that Alabama is globally competitive as the EV economic ecosystem matures,” said Governor Kay Ivey.

The event featured leaders from Alabama Power, Mercedes Benz and others. They discussed the future and the challenges that come with adopting electric vehicles.

Alabama is spending millions of dollars to expand its charging station infrastructure – a move that officials say not only supports the needs of electric vehicle owners but also the growing EV automotive industry in the state.

“We are invested in the automotive industry here in the state of Alabama, 45,000 workers all throughout the state,” said Kenneth Boswell, director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the organization Gov. Kay Ivey has tasked with building out the state’s EV infrastructure. “We want to make sure that we do everything to solidify those jobs.”

Both Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama have introduced electric vehicles to their Alabama assembly lines. Mercedes also produces EV batteries at a separate plant in Bibb County.

Boswell said the availability of EV charging stations is important to EV owners in Alabama and those traveling through the state.

“We also want to reduce that range anxiety for that person that chooses EV as an option,” he said.

Leading automotive, research and energy experts converged at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex this week to discuss electric vehicles and their roll out in the state.

“Electric vehicles are revolutionizing the automotive industry, innovating how we drive, reinventing the roads we navigate and expanding our expectations on how to get from point A to point B,” said Ron Davis, Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association president. “EVs are also driving economic growth, sparking opportunities for new suppliers and manufacturers, specializing in batteries, charging stations and the latest electrification technologies.”

EVs also are creating new jobs within the automotive industry, said Davis, but “there are challenges and barriers to widespread EV adoption.”

The US added about 700 new public fast-charging stations for electric cars in the second quarter, bringing the nationwide total to nearly 9,000.

On April 16, piloting an electric vehicle through the north of North Dakota became far less fraught. That’s when a new fast-charging station switched on at a Simonson Station Store gas station in Minot, close to a Red Wing boot shop.

Zero-emission drivers around El Paso, Texas can also rest easier thanks to two new stations up the road in Deming, New Mexico. So can anyone heading down the Gulf Coast by Mobile, Alabama, where a new bank of chargers started pumping electrons May 2 in Robertsdale, down the street from Buster’s Southern Pit BBQ.

As the automotive industry increasingly trends toward electric vehicles, Alabama is positioning itself as a manufacturing leader in a growing global market while developing its EV infrastructure at home.

The Alabama Department of Commerce announced in April that the state had for the first time become the top automotive exporter in the country, with international vehicle shipments exceeding $11.2 billion. That’s a 45% increase since 2021, when they totaled just $7.7 billion.

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GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Guntersville leaders cut the ribbon on the city’s first electric vehicle chargers on Tuesday.

The charging station is located in the public parking deck on Old Town Street. The unit can charge two vehicles.

Officials with the Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce say the charger was funded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The public works team and the horticulture team provided the space for the charger.

The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition recently played a key role in helping seven school systems in the state secure $7.8 million to purchase a fleet of new electric buses. The arrangement is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 Clean School Bus Program rebate competition.

As EVs and charging stations become more common in Alabama and across the nation, there is a need for first responders to be better equipped and prepared to respond to emergencies involving EVs and, more specifically, lithium-ion batteries. The Alabama Fire College is working to ensure that first and second responders in Alabama are trained on how to properly deal with battery-related emergencies.

There are a lot more electric vehicle owners in Alabama these days lining up to charge up.

Joshua Purdue has only been a Tesla owner for a year.

“Since I got my Tesla, I know five people that have a Tesla and always stop and ask me questions,” Purdue said.

When asked why he switched from driving a Land Rover to a Tesla, his answer was simple.

“I got tired of paying for gas,” Purdue said.