Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
noah@electrification.org, (202) 461-2371
SOUTH BEND, IND.—Today, regional leaders and industry experts gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center in South Bend to spotlight the transformative impact of the electric vehicle (EV) industry on Indiana’s economy. The event, How EV Investments Are Powering Prosperity in Indiana, highlighted the region’s emergence as a national hub for EV innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development.
The event featured remarks from prominent local and industry leaders, including:
- Charles Kulp, Assistant Chief of Police, Walkerton Police Department
- Joshua Schweizer, Fire Chief, New Carlisle Fire Department
- Alex Bazan, Director of Sustainability, City of South Bend
- David Madden, Electrification Coalition
Speakers discussed how EV manufacturing, battery production and supply chain development generate new jobs, attract investment and position Indiana as a key player in America’s energy and transportation future.
Quotes from the event:
David Madden, Midwest Campaigns Lead, Electrification Coalition: “Across Indiana, more than $14 billion in EV manufacturing has already been announced, creating 8,800 new jobs for Hoosiers. These are not just numbers on a page. They represent families with steady paychecks, small businesses with new customers, and communities with a renewed sense of economic vitality. Yet we must be clear, this transformation is not guaranteed.”
Charles Kulp, Assistant Chief of Police, Walkerton Police Department: “We started to look at transitioning one of our patrol vehicles, a Dodge Charger with a V8 Hemi, to an EV several years ago. We were in the process of that when we were made aware of a grant managed by the Indiana Office of Energy Management. We applied for the grant and received it, replacing the Dodge Charger with an EV. So far, it has been well-received by the officers and by fellow law enforcement communities. It operates amazingly, no complaints. Right now, I estimate about $2,500 a year in savings for fuel alone.”
Joshua Schweizer, Fire Chief, New Carlisle Fire Department: “We have been looking at cost savings. Our fuel budget as a fire department is roughly 11% of our budget. So innovation has been something we’ve been looking at… When Chevrolet and Ford released their pickup trucks, we really started looking at that as a viable option. Ending of last year, an opportunity came. We saw the tax credit, the 2025 Silverado EV was released, and it really fit what we need. So we seized the moment, we purchased the EV, and there’s really no looking back.”
Alex Bazan, Director of Sustainability, City of South Bend: “The City [of South Bend] is committed to supporting the transition to clean vehicles. We’ve been investing in EV infrastructure so that everyone can have access to EV charging stations and participate in the EV transition. We’ve done this by providing resources to the public, supporting community organizations in installing charging stations, and installing city-owned charging stations. We currently have seven city-owned and operated charging station locations that are publicly accessible.”
With over $14 billion in private investment and more than 8,800 jobs created across the EV supply chain, Indiana is rapidly becoming the epicenter of America’s domestic EV industry. These investments in EV manufacturing, infrastructure, and workforce development are driving economic opportunities across the state—strengthening American national security, driving local job growth, and protecting the state’s economy from oil’s price volatility.
The event is part of the national Freedom to Drive summer event series focused on how EVs are driving jobs and economic development in communities across the country.
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org