Hey there folks, buckle up your seatbelts because this article is about the electrifying transformation of rural Georgia into a bustling “battery belt.” That’s right, we’re talking about the opening of a factory that employs over 2,600 people – which is almost a third of the town’s population! This factory is all about producing the Volkswagen ID.4 and Lightning, but here’s the real news. We’re going to share with you the juicy details that make this story a laugh riot.

Now, we all know that Republicans are always striving to make America great again, and in this case, Georgia seems to be turning into the “electric mobility capital of America”. I mean, c’mon who doesn’t love the idea of being able to travel without spending crazy amounts of money on gas? But, let’s set aside our love for clean, green energy for a minute and focus on the elephants in the room. Why is there no mention of climate change or any real commitment to driving electric vehicles (EVs) on Georgia’s roads?

This article is full of juicy gossip, folks! Apparently, after President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, numerous clean energy incentives were included, resulting in many Republican-controlled states reaping the benefits of the clean energy push. Surprised? Well, don’t be because even Professor Thomas Oatley, a political science professor at Tulane University, seems to be equally surprised too. He’s said, “It’s quite surprising that a lot of the resources are being channeled into red states.” Looks like Republicans and Democrats alike are all for turning Georgia’s sleepy, quiet towns into a buzzing “battery belt.”

But wait, there’s more! Georgia has attracted 35 electric-vehicle-related projects since 2020 and is estimated to have created about 27,400 jobs. Tsk, tsk, the Republicans may not be uttering the ‘c’ word (climate change) but dang, do they know how to make a city shift from making regular vehicles to electric ones. It seems like the Republicans might be hesitant to acknowledge the climate reasons behind switching to EVs, but they are not blind to the benefits thanks to the expanded federal tax credits and generous state incentives.

Let’s get to the fun part, folks. The electric vehicle manufacturers in particular, along with battery recycling plants and auto parts suppliers, have flocked to Southern states. The southern belle states really be looking all pretty with their expanded federal tax credits and generous state incentives. Excavators are tearing up the ground for electric truck maker Rivian’s 20-million-square-foot $5 billion factory in Georgia, which will reportedly include a driving test track and an “adventure trail” – woo-hoo, we’re excited! Oh, and by the coast, Korean Automaker Hyundai plans on producing 300,000 electric vehicles every year. Ta-Da!

It seems that the Georgia Republican lawmakers have a love-hate relationship with electric vehicles, spreading their arms wide to welcome EV giants while giving them a tax on public EV charging. For shame, Georgia!

At this point in this electrifying tale, one question arises – how does Georgia aim to become the “electric mobility capital of America” while the Republicans are doing their best to not talk about “climate change” and the emissions reductions and environmental benefits of switching to electric vehicles? We’re not sure ourselves, but we’re pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that in Georgia’s shift towards making and selling EVs, there’s one foot in and one foot out of a massive transition. Sounds like an awkward attempt at dancing!

Now, let’s talk about low taxes and the “right to work” – not quite our liberal dream, but moving on. Georgia offers free training, low taxes, and ‘right to work’. Folks, if you’re getting too excited, hold onto your seats because rapid training programs are taking place to provide workers for newly opened factories, and the competition for talent is pretty fierce. Even Southern states like South Carolina and Tennessee are getting their share of clean energy and EV funds, and truth be told, everybody wants a piece of the pie.

Finally, we have reached the end of the article, and all we can say is what a roller coaster ride it has been! Republicans, Democrats, electrification, and loads of money – what a great drama moment. Even though Georgia’s Republican lawmakers haven’t fully embraced electric vehicles yet, they sure are the biggest winners in getting the jobs cleaned up for the clean energy sector. Let’s see how these tens of thousands of jobs coming to the state will shift the public attitude about climate change or fail to bridge the national divide. Hmmm, this could be the start of something BIG.

Serious News: washingtonpost