Southern states are often seen as having trouble changing with the times. In recent years however, Georgia has emerged as a hub for electric vehicle (EV) businesses, with a robust ecosystem that encompasses manufacturers, startups, and supportive government policies. This thriving EV industry not only contributes to the state’s sustainable transportation goals, but also establishes a future for autonomous vehicles (AVs).
Republican Governor Brian Kemp seemed to have made it a priority of his second term to make Georgia the “electric mobility capital of America”, and he is delivering on this promise. Hyundai Motor Group broke ground on their massive $5.5 billion EV manufacturing plant called “Metacity” near Savannah. This will be the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history. The state of Georgia and local governments already have pledged $1.8 billion in tax breaks and other incentives toward this expansion. SK Battery Americas started producing EV batteries for Ford and Volkswagen out of their first Georgia location last year and now are partnered with Hyundai to build another $5 billion location in the state. This pro-business mindset toward EVs has pushed companies like Rivian, Blue Bird Corp, Textron, Yamaha, along with many others, to expand into Georgia. These corporations are the building blocks that could allow Georgia to become a leader in the future of transportation.
By leveraging the growth that Georgia has seen in the EV space, along with the state having a strong track record of collaboration between government and industry, Georgia could become the base for the development of AV technologies. Through initiatives like the Georgia Smart Communities Challenge and the Atlanta Smart Corridor, Georgia has demonstrated its commitment to fostering technological innovation and supporting the advancement of new and disruptive innovations. One notable example is an AV start-up located in Peachtree Corners, GA. (“beep”) provides autonomous shuttle service to 12 locations across the U.S. with one of them being a three mile, seven stop route in the Atlanta suburb. “beep” operates out of Curiosity Labs, a start-up community focused on emerging technology.
Georgia boasts a well-developed and extensive transportation infrastructure, making it an ideal state for testing and deploying autonomous vehicles. The state’s highways, including the major I-285, I-85, and I-75 corridors, provide an excellent testing ground for AVs to navigate diverse traffic conditions and interact with other vehicles. Moreover, Georgia’s commitment to investing in transportation infrastructure, as evidenced by the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank and the Major Mobility Investment Program, ensures that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles. This support from the state government has allowed Kodiak Robotics to begin a Dallas-Atlanta autonomous trucking route.
We stand on the cusp of a transformative era in transportation and Georgia finds itself in a unique position that many Southern states rarely find themselves in. The state has the potential to become a “first mover” and leader in the future of transportation. With an administration that is set on developing new EV partnerships, as well as being a state that supports innovative technologies, Georgia has all the pieces in place to lead us into the next big technological revolution: Autonomous Vehicles.
