The Southeastern United States has become a significant hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, attracting substantial investments and creating thousands of jobs. As of June 2024, the region has secured approximately $78.2 billion in EV-related investments, leading to over 73,900 anticipated jobs across more than 100 facilities (Atlas Public Policy, 2024). States such as Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina have positioned themselves at the forefront of this transition, with major automakers and battery manufacturers expanding their operations to meet the growing demand for EVs.
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced $635 million in grants to expand EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure nationwide (Federal Highway Administration, 2025). The funding supports 49 projects across 27 states, four tribal areas, and Washington, D.C., with the goal of deploying over 11,500 EV charging ports as well as hydrogen and natural gas fueling stations. This initiative is part of a broader federal effort to increase EV accessibility and reduce range anxiety for consumers.
However, recent developments could impact this momentum. In February 2025, the Trump administration suspended the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, pausing all new funding approvals and delaying the deployment of planned charging stations (Politico, 2025). The decision has sparked legal challenges and uncertainty for states relying on these funds to expand their EV infrastructure. While policy decisions will shape EV infrastructure expansion, the true long-term success of the industry depends on the people behind the innovation—skilled workers, strong leadership, and industry collaboration.
Investing in the Future of EV Manufacturing
But investment alone isn’t enough. The future of EV manufacturing depends on skilled workers, strong leadership, and industry collaboration. The Southeast has seen record EV investments, but without a skilled workforce, these opportunities could go unfilled. In states like Tennessee and Georgia, manufacturers are already struggling to find the talent needed to sustain this growth. That’s why, on February 28, the Smart Factory Institute is hosting the EV Mobility Innovation Conference—a must-attend event bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of EV mobility, battery technology, and workforce development.
Bridging the Workforce Gap: The Smart Factory Institute’s Role
With all these developments, the Southeast is uniquely positioned to be the EV hub of the future, but to make this vision a reality, we need:
-Strong leadership from government and regulatory institutions
-Collaboration between private industry, academia, and small businesses
- A skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of this rapidly growing industry.
This is where the Smart Factory Institute plays an important role—helping manufacturers adopt Industry 4.0 technologies, up-skilling workers, and bridging the talent gap. One message is clear: if the Southeast U.S. wants to remain a leader in EV manufacturing, we must invest in workforce development.
We’re continuing that conversation at the EV Mobility Innovation Conference on February 28, where we will talk about:
- Battery technology advancements
-Supply chain challenges and opportunities
-Infrastructure development
-Workforce training and Industry 4.0 integration.
There’s a common misconception that automation is replacing jobs—but the need for skilled workers is growing. Over 4 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled in the next decade, and half of them are at risk of going unfilled due to a shortage of trained workers. The Smart Factory Institute exists to address this challenge, helping manufacturers improve productivity and prepare their workforce for the evolving EV landscape.
Be Part of the Future — Join Us on February 28
The EV revolution is here, and the Southeast U.S. is at the center of it. But sustaining this momentum requires investment in workforce development, cutting-edge technology, and strong partnerships.
The Smart Factory Institute is leading the way—and it all continues at the EV Mobility Innovation Conference on February 28.
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