Alabama Breaks Ground on $30M EV Technology Center

Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair, alongside state and local leaders, marked the groundbreaking of a $30 million workforce training center, named the EV Technology Center, at the Alabama Robotics Technology Park (RTP) near Decatur on October 14, 2024. This cutting-edge facility aims to bolster the state’s advanced manufacturing and robotics sectors, providing high-tech training programs for Alabama’s workforce.

“Alabama’s auto industry has long been a powerhouse for our economy, and the new EV Technology Center shows our commitment to keeping that engine running strong,” Secretary McNair said.

“As the industry shifts to electric vehicles, we’re investing in our workforce to ensure they have the next-level skills needed to thrive in this new era of automotive manufacturing,” she added.

This $30 million facility is a crucial part of Alabama’s long-term strategy to strengthen its leadership in advanced manufacturing and EV innovation. It will provide specialized training programs designed to prepare the state’s workforce for the increasing demand in EV production, as well as other next-generation vehicle technologies.

The EV Technology Center, a 40,000-square-foot facility, will become a key part of Alabama’s Robotics Technology Park (RTP) in Tanner, further solidifying the state’s role in advanced manufacturing. Operated by AIDT, Alabama’s workforce development agency, the $73 million RTP is renowned for helping companies train workers in cutting-edge technologies, including robotics, automation, and now, electric vehicle (EV) production.

The EV Technology Center’s groundbreaking ceremony marks the advancement of a major project initiated by AIDT in late 2023, following the allocation of $30 million in funding from the Alabama Legislature. Construction began in September 2024, and the facility is expected to be completed by December 2025, with a grand opening anticipated in the first quarter of 2026.

As electric vehicle (EV) production ramps up at major Alabama plants, including Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai, the new EV Technology Center is poised to play a crucial role in addressing the workforce demands of the state’s automakers and the rapidly expanding EV battery supply chain. The facility will provide specialized training to ensure workers are prepared for the complexities of EV production, including assembly, battery technology, and related advanced manufacturing processes.

AIDT Director Ed Castile emphasized that the center is designed to cover all aspects of EV production, from manufacturing to supply chain integration. However, it is also built with flexibility, allowing it to adapt to training needs in other industries and emerging technologies. This versatility ensures the center remains a valuable asset for Alabama’s long-term growth in advanced manufacturing, not only in the automotive sector but across multiple high-tech fields.

“We are working feverishly to assist our world-class car makers in Alabama with not only EVs but also all of the newly developing technologies they are designing in their future vehicles,” said Castile, who also serves as Deputy Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

“We are fortunate to have companies not only investing in automobiles but in all forms of mobility to include aviation and aerospace,” he added.

A Collaborative Effort

The development of Alabama’s EV Technology Center is the result of a highly collaborative effort between AIDT, the Alabama Department of Commerce, and key state auto industry leaders. Together, they formed a technical committee to provide strategic direction for the center’s programs, ensuring alignment with the specific needs of the automotive and EV sectors. The project team also sought global expertise, conducting site visits to EV battery factories in Japan and Europe to incorporate international best practices into the center’s design and curriculum.

In addition to industry collaboration, partnerships with academic institutions are integral to the center’s mission of bolstering Alabama’s leadership in EV workforce development. The Alabama Mobility and Power Center (AMP) at The University of Alabama, the Alabama Community College System, and K-12 schools across the state are all involved, contributing to the development of a comprehensive training ecosystem.

Other key organizations supporting the center’s development include Auburn University’s Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS), SAE International, Calhoun Community College, and the Alabama Technology Network (ATN).

Alabama Sen. Arthur Orr sponsored the legislation that funded the facility, and said the EV Technology Center will reinforce RTP’s status as a leading innovator in workforce development resource in Alabama.

“I’m grateful that three governors, including Governor Ivey, have seen the wisdom of making investments in our workforce at the Robotics Technology Park,” Orr said. “This latest investment in EV technology signals to the rest of the country and the world that Alabama will continue to be a leader in preparing its workforce for the future, much like it did in robotics.

“Ed Castile is the mastermind behind this strategic positioning of our state’s workforce and deserves high praise for his futuristic thinking,” he added.

Alabama Spending Millions on EV Charging

Alabama is spending millions of dollars to expand its EV charging station infrastructure. The US Department of Energy’s vehicle registration counts of all-electric vehicles by state during the fourth quarter of 2023 showed Alabama as one of the states that were the lowest in EV registrations, at 11,831. State officials recognized the lack of EV charging as a major barrier to adoption, and are therefore expanding charging infrastructure to reduce that barrier.