More than 200 leaders from industry, government and education gathered in Athens for the fourth annual University of Georgia Electric Mobility Summit on March 13 at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. Organized by the Georgia Network for Electric Mobility, the summit highlighted collaborative opportunities to support electric and future mobility adoption and to meet the demands of this growing sector in Georgia and beyond.
This year’s summit, “Driving Forward: Innovating Today for the Mobility of Tomorrow,” began with remarks from Alton Standifer, vice provost and chair of UGA’s Electric Mobility Executive Council, and representatives from GNEM founding partners including Tony Ferguson, Georgia Power Co.’s northeast region director for external affairs; Joe George, Cox Automotive Mobility Solutions Group president; and Stuart Countess, Kia Georgia Inc. president and CEO. The event also featured keynote presentations by Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols and Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry. The full program of events can be found here.
In his remarks to summit participants, S. Jack Hu, the university’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, noted that UGA has made significant investments in e-mobility research and education in recent years. These investments include an interdisciplinary hiring initiative to recruit 10 top faculty members in engineering, public policy, business and public service and outreach and a $2 million seed grant program launched in 2023 that is driving innovative faculty research in e-mobility.
“We are committed to working alongside industry, government and communities to enhance the quality of life and well-being of Georgia’s citizens,” said Hu. “I believe one of the most critical roles UGA can fill is to bring together leaders on the front lines of electric mobility in Georgia at events such as this summit, so that we can make new connections, explore new opportunities and build upon the state’s growing stature in this promising field.
Driving innovation, connecting communities
Founded in 2022, GNEM is a university-wide initiative focused on electric mobility and transportation innovation, research and economic development around the state and beyond. The network is led by council members from the Office of the Provost, the College of Engineering, the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the Odum School of Ecology, the Office of Business Engagement, the School of Public and International Affairs, Public Service and Outreach and the Terry College of Business.
In conjunction with the summit and in partnership with GNEM, UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, a public service and outreach unit, is helping communities understand electric mobility opportunities and challenges through the Plug Into Georgia initiative. Created with support from Southern Co., the effort provides education, outreach, engagement and technical assistance for government decision-makers. The initiative piloted a regional workshop where local government and community leaders connected with regional peers, exchanged ideas and learned about steps for shaping the future of transportation in Georgia.
“We are proud to be a trusted partner for communities, local goverments and small businesses navigating emerging electric mobility technologies,” said Matt Bishop, interim vice president of public service and outreach. “Plug Into Georgia helps translate research so communities can be responsive and strategic in reaching their unique needs and goals.”
A day prior to the larger summit, GNEM members met with a group of research and workforce development partners. Gabrielle Pierre, GNEM strategy lead, provided an overview of the current global electric vehicle landscape and discussed upcoming research and workforce development efforts. GNEM’s report on the state of e-mobility in Georgia is available here.
“GNEM envisions Georgia as a world leading ecosystem for electric mobility innovation, generating high paying jobs and economic growth,” said Bjorn Birgisson, chair of the School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Power E-Mobility Distinguished Professor and GNEM executive director. “With over $31 billion in investments, and 38,000 EV-related jobs created in the past decade, Georgia has outpaced even traditional automotive hubs like Michigan, cementing Georgia’s leadership in EV innovation and manufacturing. This summit is one of many initiatives strengthening our global presence in e-mobility.”
Sponsors of the fourth annual Electric Mobility Summit were Georgia Power Co., Cox Automotive, Kia Georgia Inc., the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Automotive Dealers Association, the Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association, Worksource Georgia (an initiative of the Technical College System of Georgia), Jackson Electric Membership Corp., the UGA College of Engineering and the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
