Economy

Alabama Manufacturers’ Investments in EV

Source: Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition

Alabama automakers and parts suppliers began investments in electric vehicles several years ago, and the list continues to grow.

  • Mercedes-Benz in 2017 announced a $1 billion, 600-job expansion that includes production of all-electric vehidles and a state-of-the-art battery factory in Bibb County. Mercedes plans to go all electric by 2030.
  • In 2018, New Flyer in Anniston completed a $25 million upgrade to its battery-electric bus facility.
  • DURA Automotive Systems announced an investment of $59 million in August 2020 to open a manufacturing facility in Muscle Shoals designed to produce battery trays for electric vehicles.
  • Hyundai announced earlier this year plans to build electric vehicles at its Montgomery site and a $7.4 billion U.S. investment in new technologies and production upgrades.
  • Honda Motor Co., which has a plant in Lincoln, Ala., said this year it would phase out gas-powered cars by 2040.
  • In June, the state announced that a first-of-its-kind advanced graphite processing plant in Coosa County will bring an overall investment of $124 million to Alabama. The plant, Alabama Graphite Products, will help with the production of an essential material in batteries that power electric vehicles, electronics and other green energy products.

In July, a $16.5 million grant was announced to help fund a transportation research facility at the University of Alabama focused on electric vehicles. The building on the campus in Tuscaloosa will house the Alabama Transportation Institute; the Alabama Mobility and Power Initiative, a partnership between Alabama Power Co. and Mercedes-Benz; and a state transportation agency office.