WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a major push to revitalize America’s auto industry, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced a $50 million investment to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers adapt to the electric vehicle (EV) market. This initiative, part of the broader “Investing in America” agenda, is designed to maintain and create high-paying union jobs in traditional auto communities, ensuring that the U.S. remains a global leader in automotive manufacturing.
The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through its Domestic Automotive Manufacturing Conversion Grant program, will be distributed across six states with significant automotive workforces: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Illinois. This support is aimed at helping suppliers retool their facilities for EV component production, keeping them competitive in the rapidly evolving auto sector.
“This investment is a critical step in ensuring that the workers and manufacturers who have built America’s auto industry will continue to thrive as we transition to a clean energy future,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we are giving America’s auto communities the tools they need to compete and succeed in the 21st-century economy.”
The DOE is also investing $1.5 million in technical assistance to help small suppliers navigate the shift to EV production. This support includes creating a Small Supplier EV Transition Playbook, developed in partnership with top universities and national laboratories.
These initiatives align with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40% of the benefits from certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities. The administration’s efforts underscore a commitment to revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing sector while driving the clean energy transition.