Drive Electric Alabama To Promote Electric Vehicles In Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs officially launched the state’s electric vehicle education and marketing program Monday, known as Drive Electric Alabama.

Drive Electric Alabama is designed to raise awareness and advocate for the eventual adoption of electric vehicles in Alabama by engaging and educating residents about the benefits of electric vehicles in their everyday lives and the state’s economic future.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey attended Monday’s announcement at UAB and voiced support for Drive Electric Alabama.

"As automakers make significant investments in electric vehicles, we know more and more motorists will consider purchasing one," Ivey said. "In addition, automobile manufacturing is one of Alabama’s key industries, and we want to make sure that this economic engine remains vibrant for Alabama’s workers."

The campaign will include television, radio and digital advertising, as well as billboards and events aimed at increasing Alabamians’ awareness surrounding EV technology, affordability, charging and other related topics.

"It’s clear electric vehicles represent the next generation of automobile manufacturing," ADECA director Kenneth Boswell said. "That’s precisely why this is the perfect time for Alabamians to learn about electric vehicles, as many auto manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz right here in our state, are beginning to add electric vehicles to their fleets."

The inaugural marketing campaign, known as "Electric Gets You There," stresses the cost savings associated with electric vehicles as well as EVs’ functionality.

Drive Electric Alabama also boasts a coalition of supporters, including Alabama Power, the Energy Institute of Alabama, the Alabama State Department of Commerce, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Alabama Transportation Institute and the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition.

In addition to the "Electric Gets You There" campaign, ADECA is also developing a separate statewide infrastructure plan related to electric vehicles, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

"Automobile manufacturers have announced billions of dollars in investments in EVs in the last year, but most Alabama motorists have questions about how far EVs can travel on a single charge, how often and where EVs are charged, and how much money is saved by switching from gasoline to electric," said Michael Staley, president of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition. "These are questions Drive Electric Alabama and the ‘Electric Gets You There’ campaign can help answer and begin to normalize this transition from gas to electric for many Alabamians."