While Silicon Valley often steals the spotlight in conversations about America’s tech boom, new data reveals that it’s actually the Mid-West and the South that are the powerhouse regions in the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry. According to a report by the Blue Green Alliance Foundation and Atlas Public Policy, these areas have become hubs of job creation and investment, thanks to the surging EV market.
Most of the economic activity is localized in the Mid-west and South region
The stats paint an impressive picture. Of the $154 billion poured into the EV sector in recent years, a large chunk has benefited these often-overlooked regions. The research showcases that 188,000 jobs have been created across the country, and notably, much of this economic activity is localized in the Mid-West and the South.
What’s even more compelling is that 32% of these 319 EV facilities are located in disadvantaged communities. This has led to the opening up of rural employment opportunities, adding an important socio-economic dimension to the EV boom. In a show of labor solidarity, 25% of these facilities are unionized—more than double the U.S. average of 10%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While Tesla continues to be a major job creator with 28,524 jobs, it’s followed closely by other companies like Ford, Rivian, and LG, which have generated under 15,000 EV jobs each. Investments hit a record high in 2022, peaking at nearly $70 billion, led by companies like LG, Tesla, General Motors, and Ford.
Credit is also due to favorable policies, such as President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These policies not only provide tax credits to EV buyers but also include clauses that encourage local manufacturing.
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(Via)
