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EC Tech Desk #2

EC Tech Desk is a monthly resource compiled by the EC’s technical services team that aims to curate transportation electrification’s most relevant news, tools, and resources in a brief, readable format. 

General News

Pictured: Hyundai INSTER EV, photo by Hyundai

  • Manufacturing Investments: Despite the news that 30D, 30C, 45W, 25E, and other tax credits will be ending sooner than anticipated with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, many announced EV manufacturing investments are still moving forward. 
    1. Ford stated that its $3 billion lithium iron phosphate battery factory in Marshall, MI, will survive due to last-minute amendments to the congressional budget bill. 
    2. WFAE reported that North Carolina’s portion of the Battery Belt will soon have four major lithium-ion battery factories built. 
    3. Panasonic opened its $4 billion lithium-ion battery factory in De Soto, KS. 
    4. Ultium Cells, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, announced that it will enhance its facility in Spring Hill, TN, to produce lithium-iron phosphate battery cells. This is in an effort to produce low-cost electric vehicle battery cells and, in turn, lower the average MSRP of EVs. 
  • Automakers News: Rivian announced that its new East Coast Headquarters will be located in Atlanta, GA, with an official opening expected in late 2025. The facility will employ up to 500 personnel when it is fully built and operational. 
  • EVSE Updates: With EVBox and its software, Everon, out of business, Blink stated it will step in to keep existing chargers active or replace aged sites with new Blink chargers. 
  • Recent Partnerships
    1. Uber has invested $300 million into Lucid to purchase at least 20,000 all-electric robotaxis over the next six years. 
    2. General Motors is partnering with Redwood Materials to supply old EV batteries for reuse in second-life energy storage solutions. This would bolster U.S.-made battery storage and lower grid demand. 
    3. Samsung Electronics entered a $16.5 billion contract to supply semiconductors to Tesla, lasting through December 31, 2033. Samsung’s TX factory is being used to create the chips, which will lower tariff expenses. 
    4. Bojangles has partnered with Smart Big Box, Alyath EV, and Energy and Environmental Design Services to install EV charging stations at 800 of its restaurants, with rollout beginning in late 2025 and service beginning sometime in 2026. Each location will receive at least four ports, varying between Level 2 charging and DCFC. 
  • EV Market 
    1. General Motors announced that it is second in EV production in the U.S. market. The automaker highlighted its ability to meet demand with its 12 EV models as an advantage. 
    2. Hyundai and Kia will soon offer lower-priced EVs. Despite the impact of the U.S. auto tariffs, Hyundai’s INSTER EV will start at around $27,000, and Kia is working on a smaller EV priced below its EV2 at under $30,000. 
    3. Subaru announced its new compact electric SUV, with a range of over 260 miles and a NACS port. Subaru has raised its global EV sales target to 600,000, or roughly 50% of total sales, by 2030. 

In the Weeds

  • TCO Comparison: Atlas Public Policy released an updated total cost of ownership comparison without the tax credits for all popular passenger vehicles in the United States. In almost all categories, EVs still see positive net savings. This is primarily due to the lower maintenance, repair, and fuel costs.  
  • Advancements Abroad: MG, a Chinese automaker, launched the MG4—its first mass-market EV with new semi-solid state batteries. With a range of up to 334 miles, it outperforms LFP batteries in cold weather (less than or equal to 44.6°F) by 13.8%. Priced at around $11,000, it is one of the most competitive EVs with advanced battery technology currently on the global market. 

Cool Tool Pool

Pictured: transmission towers, photo by: iStockPhoto

  • V2G: The Union of Concerned Scientists published a report detailing how California could use light-duty EVs to increase grid reliability. The report distinguishes V1G as integrating EVs with the electricity grid through managing the time, rate, or location of charging, whereas V2G is the additional feature of battery-stored energy that could be sent back to the grid. Additionally, the report describes the comparative benefits of V1G versus V2G and highlights the potential savings that could be gained through vehicle-to-grid integration, estimating between $1.8 billion and $11.7 billion per year by 2045. 
  • Southeast Manufacturing Market: The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy partnered with Atlas Public Policy to provide state-specific snapshots of the Southeast’s trends in EV manufacturing investments, jobs, sales, EVSE deployment, utility investment, and public funding. Overall, despite the current federal politics, the SE EV market presses on as the developments of its portion of the battery belt continue. 

If you come across any tools or resources you think should be added to the next edition of the Tech Desk, please reach out to Senior Program Associate Steph Wagner at steph@electrification.org 

Amy Malaki

Amy Malaki is the head of policy and sustainability at SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas, pioneering global leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production and supply. Prior to SkyNRG, Amy was the associate director for the transportation portfolio at the ClimateWorks Foundation where she developed philanthropic investment strategies to advance a sustainable, equitable and low-carbon mobility system. She also pioneered the organization’s international aviation decarbonization strategy. Prior to that she focused on Asia business development at Better Place, a Silicon Valley electric vehicle network startup. She has a B.A. in Chinese and China studies from the University of Washington and an M.A. in international policy studies (energy and environment) from Stanford University.