Georgia Power has solidified its commitment to advancing electric mobility (e-mobility) in Georgia by gifting $5 million to the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Engineering. This significant investment, announced at the Electric Mobility Summit held at the UGA Georgia Center, aims to position UGA as a leading force in the rapidly expanding e-mobility sector. The contribution will fuel scholarships, bolster research initiatives, and foster statewide partnerships, ensuring Georgia remains at the forefront of electric vehicle innovation and adoption.
UGA President Jere W. Morehead expressed profound gratitude for Georgia Power’s generous support, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between the university and the company. “Through our collaboration with Georgia Power, UGA is enhancing educational opportunities for our students and actively contributing to the economic growth of our state through advancements in electric mobility,” stated President Morehead.
Kim Greene, Chairman, President, and CEO of Georgia Power, highlighted the positive impact of electric vehicle technology and innovation within Georgia. “We are witnessing the tangible benefits of e-mobility, from the increasing number of EVs on our roads to the substantial economic growth spurred by new jobs and industry investments,” Greene remarked. “Georgia Power is dedicated to sustaining this momentum, and we recognize the critical need for a skilled workforce to support this expanding sector. Our partnership with UGA is a strategic step towards nurturing talent and driving e-mobility progress across all levels, creating opportunities for future generations in Georgia.”
This $5 million donation marks the largest single gift in the history of UGA’s College of Engineering. It will be strategically allocated to support various programs and initiatives encompassing electric transportation, including electric cars, bicycles, aircraft, and the associated technologies and infrastructure. The overarching goal of this collaboration is to propel the field of e-mobility forward, ensuring that the state of Georgia reaps the full benefits of this technological evolution.
The Georgia Power gift will be channeled into four key areas:
Cultivating a Robust E-Mobility Network
The UGA Engineering E-Mobility Fund will receive a significant boost, enabling the expansion of e-mobility initiatives across teaching, research, and community engagement. This funding will be instrumental in enhancing UGA’s Certificate in E-Mobility program, broadening access to e-mobility opportunities for underrepresented communities, and fostering collaborations between academic institutions, research bodies, industry players, and communities throughout Georgia. This comprehensive approach aims to create a thriving ecosystem for electric mobility in the state.
Empowering Future Leaders with E-Mobility Scholarships
The newly established Georgia Power E-Mobility Scholarship Fund will provide crucial financial assistance to students pursuing UGA’s Certificate in E-mobility. By removing financial barriers, these scholarships will encourage more students to specialize in this vital field, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals entering the e-mobility workforce.
Advancing E-Mobility Research and Innovation
The Georgia Power Research Fund in E-Mobility will significantly enhance research capabilities at UGA. This fund will support cutting-edge research projects, potentially focusing on critical areas such as battery technology, design optimization, and other key aspects of electric vehicle advancement. By fostering innovation, this research fund will contribute to breakthroughs that drive the e-mobility sector forward.
Building E-Mobility Community Partnerships Across Georgia
Recognizing the importance of statewide impact, the Georgia Power E-Mobility Community Partnership Fund will facilitate strategic collaborations with diverse academic institutions across Georgia. This includes four-year universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and technical colleges, as well as community organizations and industry groups. With a particular focus on underserved and rural communities, these partnerships will ensure that the benefits of e-mobility are accessible to all Georgians, promoting equitable growth and opportunity.
Don Leo, Dean of the College of Engineering at UGA, emphasized the university’s strategic position to leverage the growing e-mobility investments in Georgia. “As a flagship university, UGA is uniquely equipped to capitalize on the significant momentum in e-mobility within our state,” Dean Leo stated. “We are committed to translating these investments into tangible benefits for our students and communities throughout Georgia. We extend our sincere appreciation to Georgia Power for their continued partnership and vision.”
This recent contribution builds upon Georgia Power’s previous commitment to UGA’s e-mobility initiatives. In April 2022, the company established the Georgia Power Electric Mobility Distinguished Professorship with a $250,000 gift. This endowed faculty position in the College of Engineering further strengthens UGA’s expertise and leadership in the field.
Georgia Power’s ongoing investments underscore the significant growth of the e-mobility sector in Georgia. The company’s economic development team actively collaborates with the state to attract and retain businesses in this dynamic industry. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, since 2018, over 35 electric-vehicle-related projects have committed more than $23 billion in investments within Georgia. These projects include high-profile ventures from industry leaders like Rivian, Hyundai Motor Group, and SK Battery America, solidifying Georgia’s position as a major hub for electric vehicle manufacturing and innovation.
UGA is also proactively supporting this growth through its Electric Mobility Initiative, launched last year. This initiative provides seed funding for new e-mobility projects and convenes thought leaders to explore innovative approaches to electric mobility across Georgia and the broader region. Furthermore, UGA is set to launch a faculty hiring initiative to recruit ten leading researchers in electric mobility, further cementing its commitment to becoming a national leader in this transformative field.
