Georgia leads in EV manufacturing, lags in sales
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp stands next to a Rivian electric truck while announcing the company’s plans to build a plant east of Atlanta. However, plans for the plant have stalled.
Special Photo via GristBy Emily Jones
WABE/Grist
ATLANTA — Georgia is leading the country in jobs making electric vehicles, batteries and other parts. Still, the state lags behind on people actually driving electric vehicles (EVs), according to a new report by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
The report finds that EV manufacturing continues to boom in Georgia, with more than 27,000 jobs announced. These employment opportunities can be attributed to major investments state leaders have pursued, like the new Hyundai plant near Savannah and EV battery makers.
Nonetheless, Georgia is ranked 22nd nationwide for EV sales and lags far behind the national average in state funding for electric transportation per capita.
“There is a gap between supporting these businesses coming to Georgia to create jobs and then supporting these companies being able to sell their products to Georgian consumers,” Stan Cross, the electric transportation director for SACE, said.
Proponents of EVs have long criticized the state’s annual registration fee for such vehicles, which is designed to replace gas taxes. An EV charging sales tax will take effect in 2026 with no reduction or repeal of the EV fee yet approved.
In addition to passenger vehicles, this year’s report for the first time looks at the electrification of diesel-powered commercial vehicles like buses, delivery vans and tractor trailers.
“We need to think beyond just passenger vehicles because everything is on a pathway to electrify,” Cross said.
The report finds that sales are ticking up in the Southeast, but less than 1% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales in the region are electric.
This coverage is made possible through a partnership between WABE and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
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