As the first Georgia-made electric car, the EV9, prepares to roll off the line this year at Kia Georgia in West Point, total planned investments in Georgia’s e-mobility and battery ecosystem topped $27.3 billion in the five years between 2018-2023. 

Here are a few reasons why companies are choosing Georgia. 

• Workforce. For job seekers looking to reduce living expenses, Georgia is historically a top destination. But what sets Georgia apart is the way it works with employers to identify opportunities to attract and train the local labor pool. Georgia Quick Start is helping the state meet the demands of the clean energy boom, and recently unveiled how it will support the training of more than 8,500 Georgians for Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA).  

• Logistics Infrastructure. CNBC ranked Georgia as the No. 1 state for infrastructure in the U.S. in 2023. Georgia is a global gateway to the U.S. The state has two deepwater ports, one of which is ranked among the fastest growing and the other a top port for automotive Ro/Ro in the country. Located near the center of the state is the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. These assets are connected to cities across the state connected by a seamless network of interstates, highways, and rail lines.  

• Reliable energy grids are diversifying Georgia’s energy mix through renewable options, including solar energy and through Plant Vogtle. The state is supporting the availability of low cost energy, including solar and hydrogen, and bringing together energy technology thought-leaders to foster innovative ecosystems.  

• An emerging closed-loop, fully-integrated supply chain. Georgia’s cutting-edge mobility ecosystem consists of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) Kia, HMGMA, Rivian, and Archer Aviation, battery manufacturers such as SK Battery America and LG Energy Solution, metal and battery-material recyclers including Aurubis AG and Ascend Elements, hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer Plug Power, synthetic graphite manufacturer Anovion Technologies, and more. 

• Innovative partnerships. At the epicenter of the nation’s electric mobility revolution, innovation is working to drive the industry forward. By prioritizing research and development, Georgia’s college and university systems are a prime incubator for the kinds of collaboration and innovation needed to support the quickly evolving field. Companies are also choosing Georgia to launch new initiatives. At CES 2024 in Las Vegas, Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) unveiled plans for the Clean Logistics Project, where HMGMA will deploy XCIENT Fuel Cell tractors to manage logistics at the new Metaplant in coastal Georgia.  

Learn more about Georgia’s e-mobility industry, and stay up-to-date on new developments in Georgia by signing up for the monthly We Speak Business eNewsletter. 

You can also connect with GDEcD at trade shows, including NAATBatt, InterBattery, SelectUSA Investment Summit, and other select industry events.