Episode 1: The Battery Belt Explained with Mike Oatridge

Welcome to the debut episode of The Battery Belt, the official podcast of the Georgia Network for Electric Mobility (GNEM). On the very first episode of The Battery Belt, we welcome Mike Oatridge, Executive Director of the Alabama Mobility & Power (AMP) Center at the University of Alabama.In this episode, Mike shares firsthand insights from decades of experience across automotive and advanced manufacturing, offering a grounded look at how the region is evolving—fast. We discuss the rapid rise of EV and battery manufacturing in the Southeast, the $78 billion in investments transforming local economies, and how states like Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi are positioning themselves at the center of the nation’s mobility future.Listeners will learn about:• The origins and momentum behind the Battery Belt• How public-private partnerships are driving research and innovation across the MAGNET tri-state region• The workforce and community opportunities emerging from record-breaking clean energy investments• What industry leaders see coming next in EVs, batteries, and smart mobilityMore than a technology story, this conversation reveals the people, places, and partnerships powering a generational shift in transportation and economic development.Recorded live during a GNEM-hosted webinar and refined for podcast platforms, Episode 1 sets the tone for a series dedicated to the leaders, researchers, and innovators shaping the future of mobility across the Southeast.Whether you work in industry, policy, research, or are simply curious about what’s coming next, this episode offers a compelling introduction to the Battery Belt story—and why it matters now.