Closed EV Plants Can Hollow Out A Town Faster Than You Think
About this episode
EV-related factory closures could devastate Rust Belt and industrial towns faster than people expect, especially when the buildings are massive and the workforce can’t easily relocate or find similar work nearby. Guest Sundaresh Haragoo explains how EV manufacturing differs from ICE production, and how uncertainty in oil prices, inflation, and market demand delays long-term investment. He also points to global competition—especially China—reclaiming idle capacity via trade deals and shifting supply chains. The discussion touches on repurposing closed plants (warehouses, data centers) and even affordable hybrid alternatives.
A giant EV factory can feel like a town’s future on opening day and like a crater on closing day. We sit down with Sunderesh Heragu, professor at Oklahoma State University and President of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, to unpack what really happens when EV manufacturing plants, battery factories, or assembly projects get paused midstream. We talk about why EV production is built differently than internal combustion, and why that difference can make a restart or a quick replacement tenant harder than people expect.
We also zoom out to the forces driving these decisions: gasoline prices, inflation, disposable income, and the uncertainty that freezes investment when executives can’t get a clean read on demand. Then we widen the lens even more, looking at global EV growth and the competitive pressure from overseas makers like BYD. Trade relationships, tariffs, and supply chain redesigns all show up in the background, shaping where the next wave of production could land and who might buy up idle North American capacity.
From there, the conversation turns local and personal. When a plant closes, it’s not just a building problem. It’s job loss, struggling mom-and-pop stores, and cities left holding the bag after tax abatements and infrastructure bets. We kick around realistic reuse ideas like warehouses and data centers, while being honest about the employment gap, and we also touch on hybrids as a practical path when charging infrastructure isn’t ready.
If you care about the future of EV jobs, the rust belt economy, and what comes next for these mega-sites, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who follows the auto industry, and leave us a review with your take on what communities should demand when the next factory deal gets signed.
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EV factory locationsturningportionsof citiesinto desert wastelands
"SouhoursubjecttodayisEVfactorylocationsturningportionsofcitiesintodesertwastelands. Andyouknow,IhavetotellyouthatwhenIfirststartedthinkingaboutthat,IthoughtIhaven'tthoughtaboutthat."
They’re talking about what happens when an EV factory shuts down. If a town loses those jobs and businesses, the area can end up empty and struggling for years.
The discussion is about how closing EV-related industrial sites (factories, battery plants, and related infrastructure) can cause long-term economic decline in a community. When jobs and supply chains disappear quickly, the area can be left underutilized—sometimes described as “desert wastelands.”
ICE
"it'sreallyalotdifferentthanbuildinguhanICEuhanengine,uhinternalcombustionengine."
ICE stands for internal combustion engine, meaning vehicles powered by burning fuel (like gasoline or diesel). The episode contrasts ICE vehicle production with EV production, emphasizing differences in parts and manufacturing setup.
EV manufacturing
"ButthesebusinessesforEVmanufacturing,batteries,assemblyplants,allofthestoragethathastogointothinkingaboutbuildinganEV,it'sreallyalotdifferentthanbuildinguhanICEuhanengine,uhinternalcombustionengine."
They’re saying making electric vehicles isn’t the same as making gas cars. Electric cars require different production work—especially around batteries and electronics.
EV manufacturing is described as fundamentally different from building internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The supply chain and production steps include battery-related processes, storage, and electronics integration that don’t map 1:1 to traditional engine-centric manufacturing.
electric motors and the electronicsofan EV
"It'sadifferentsetupbecausenowyou'redealingwithelectricmotorsandallofthethingsthatgoalongwithelectricmotors. Yes,thecarpartofit,that'sthesimplepart,buttome,allofthecomputersandalloftheelectricmotors,theelectronicsofanEV,completelydifferent,"
Electric cars don’t just have a motor—they also need a lot of electronics to control and power it. That electronics/control system is a big part of what makes EVs different from gas cars.
The segment highlights that EVs rely on electric motors plus a large electronics stack (power electronics, control systems, and related components). This is why the “car part” is only part of the complexity—EVs involve more software/control and electrical integration than typical ICE drivetrains.
manufacturing lines of an EV are different than what you would see for an internal combustion engine
"UhbutuhyouknowtheuhmanufacturinglinesofanEVaredifferentthanwhatyouwouldseeforaninternalcombustionengine."
They’re saying the factory setup for electric cars is different from gas cars. The big changes are around batteries and the electrical parts that control the car.
EV production lines differ from ICE lines because the major assemblies and process steps change—especially around battery systems, electric motor integration, and electronics/powertrain control. Even if the final vehicle assembly is similar, upstream manufacturing and tooling can be very different.
abandoned or idle factories
"So that was all part of that taking over all of the abandoned or idle factories. Yeah."
This means factories that aren’t being used to make cars anymore. If they’re left idle, other companies can move in and take over, which can quickly change jobs and local business activity.
“Abandoned or idle factories” refers to manufacturing facilities that are not actively producing. When these plants sit unused, they can be repurposed or taken over by new players, accelerating industrial shifts and local economic disruption.
Mahindra
"...countries like Brazil, India, Mexico, uh, of course, in India, you know, companies like Mahindra and uh Tata are introducing anumber of EVs."
Mahindra is a car company from India. The host is using it as an example of another country pushing EVs forward.
Mahindra is an Indian automaker that has been expanding its EV lineup. The speaker mentions it to illustrate how multiple countries are introducing EVs, not just China or the U.S.
Tata
"...in India, you know, companies like Mahindra and uh Tata are introducing anumber of EVs."
Tata is a major car company in India. The host is mentioning it to show that EVs are being introduced in many countries, not just a few.
Tata Motors is an Indian automaker that has introduced EVs and electrified vehicles as part of its broader strategy. In this segment, it’s cited alongside other companies to show EV adoption is spreading across emerging markets.
charging infrastructure
"You know, mind you, the um charging infrastructure is uh not as good as it need to be there, but still the EV sales are exploding."
Charging infrastructure means the places and systems that let you charge an EV. The host is saying it’s not as good as it needs to be in some areas, but EVs are still selling quickly.
Charging infrastructure is the network of charging stations and related systems that enable EVs to be used conveniently. The segment notes that it may lag behind demand in some regions, which can influence adoption speed and consumer confidence.
EVs
"AndsouhIthinkyouknowuh60-70%oftheirnewcarsalesareEVs. ... Sothat'swhatishappeninguhallovertheworld."
EVs are cars that run on electricity from a battery. The episode is talking about how more people are buying them, and how that affects factories and jobs.
EVs are electric vehicles powered primarily by electricity stored in a battery, rather than gasoline or diesel. In the segment, the speakers discuss how EV adoption is changing new-car sales and manufacturing priorities worldwide.
LPG
"...countrieslikeIndiathatdependonLPG,uhLNGforcookinggas,butalsofortheiryouknow,three-wheeltaxis..."
LPG is a type of fuel used for things like cooking. The episode points out that when LPG supply or economics get tight, people may look to EV options instead.
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is a fuel commonly used for cooking and heating in many countries. The segment mentions countries that depend on LPG for cooking and also for three-wheeler taxis, highlighting how fuel availability and economics can influence the shift toward EVs.
LNG
"...dependonLPG,uhLNGforcookinggas,butalsofortheiryouknow,three-wheeltaxis..."
LNG is natural gas that’s been turned into a liquid so it can be shipped and stored more easily. The episode uses it to show how energy dependence can affect the move toward EVs.
LNG (liquefied natural gas) is natural gas cooled into liquid form for storage and transport. The speaker includes LNG alongside LPG to explain how energy supply constraints can push regions toward electrification, including for urban transport.
scooters
"Soalotofscooters,uh,three-wheelersarealsobeingproduceduhintheEVmoderatherthanICVs... ThatwasahugeChristmasgiftthispastyearhereintheU.S."
Scooters are small city vehicles, usually used for short trips. The episode is pointing out that electric scooters are showing up more and more.
Scooters are two-wheeled urban vehicles that can be gas-powered or electric. The segment highlights that EV scooters are becoming more common and even mentions their real-world speed and use in the U.S.
50 miles an hour
"Anduhthesekidsaredoing50milesanhouronascooter. I'mgoing,doyouhaveanyideawhatthat'sgonnadotoyourkneeswhenyoufall?"
They’re saying these scooters can go around 50 mph. That’s fast enough that crashes can be much more serious, so safety matters a lot.
The speaker mentions a scooter speed of about 50 mph to illustrate how fast these EV micro-mobility vehicles can go. That matters because higher speed increases injury risk and changes how riders should think about safety.
Packard
"Yep,andtotothatpoint,toDon'spoint,whataboutthePackardplantinDetroit? ... ButthePackardplantcomestomindasastheonethefrontrunnerandabandonedbuilding."
Packard was a car company that used to make vehicles in the U.S. When a big Packard factory shuts down, it can leave a huge empty building that affects the town.
Packard was an American automaker known for luxury cars, especially in the early-to-mid 20th century. The “Packard plant” reference is about how a major auto factory closure can leave a large industrial site behind, impacting the local economy and landscape.
abandoned building
"It'sstillit'sit'sanit'saabandoned. They'veactuallymademoviesinthatfacility. ... ButthePackardplantcomestomindasastheonethefrontrunnerandabandonedbuilding."
An abandoned industrial facility often becomes a long-term blight: it can depress nearby property values, deter investment, and create ongoing cleanup or redevelopment challenges. In the episode, the “abandoned” Packard plant is used to illustrate how closures can leave a visible scar on the community.
General Motors
"MybrotherworkedattheJanesvilleAssemblyPlantinWisconsinuhformany,manyyears,anditwasaveryoldplant. AndGeneralMotorsdecided,psh,we'redonewithit,we'renotgoingtorebuildthere."
General Motors is a big American car company. Here it’s mentioned as the company that decided to close an old factory instead of fixing it up, which meant many workers lost their jobs.
General Motors (GM) is one of the largest U.S. automakers and has historically operated major assembly plants across the country. In this segment, GM is used as an example of a manufacturer choosing to close rather than rebuild a plant, which can trigger job losses and community decline.
job losses
"Andumallofthosepeoplelosttheirjobs. [722.4s] Theydon'thaveajobanymore,sothey'vehadtofindotherwork."
Job losses from an auto plant shutdown can ripple outward through local services, housing, and retail. The transcript emphasizes that once workers no longer have jobs, they must seek employment elsewhere, accelerating population and economic decline.
EV production
"SoIIthinkthecompanies,youknow,if they focus for them more of a focus on the long term,uh,I think you can find a good uh case for uh bringing back these uhuh plants,uh, whether it's for EV production or may be gasoline production or even hybrid."
EV production just means making electric cars. If a factory that makes them changes or shuts down, it can hurt other local businesses too.
“EV production” refers to manufacturing electric vehicles (battery-electric cars). When an EV plant closes or reopens, it can ripple through local suppliers and retail businesses that depend on workers’ spending.
disposable income
"So you know companies are looking at how much disposable income do people have. They're paying more for gases, they're paying more for energy."
Disposable income is the money people have after bills and essentials. If it’s lower, people often wait longer before buying a new car.
“Disposable income” is the money households have left after paying for necessities. When disposable income is squeezed, consumers may delay buying vehicles or keep older cars longer, which impacts automakers’ production planning.
EV
"But let me also say that I think that the way that things are going right now, if you need a car, as opposed to buying an EV today, where here in Houston we don't have the interest infrastructure to be able to justify the price of that."
An EV is an electric car. It runs on a battery instead of gasoline. The point here is that if a place doesn’t have enough charging stations, it can be harder to justify buying an EV.
EV stands for electric vehicle—cars powered primarily by electricity from a battery. The discussion contrasts buying an EV versus needing a car in an area that may lack charging infrastructure to support EV ownership.
hybrid vehicles
"But I will say that there are some uh hybrid vehicles out there that are affordable and that raises the uh mileage uh of a car almost by double."
A hybrid car uses both gas and electricity to help it get better fuel economy. The idea is that it can stretch your gas more and cost less to run than a regular gas-only car.
Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor/battery to improve efficiency. The speaker claims hybrids can raise a car’s mileage substantially, which is relevant to cost of ownership when gasoline prices are a concern.
NASCAR
"Hey,wegotNASCAR. TheyareatBristolthisweekend."
NASCAR is a big American race series where cars race on mostly oval tracks. The cars are built to race hard and compete closely.
NASCAR is a major American stock-car racing series. Races are typically held on oval tracks, and the series is known for close, high-contact racing and spec-style rules that keep cars relatively similar.
IndyCar Racing
"IndyCarRacing,theyareatLongBeach,andthat'snextweekend,sowegotwegotatimetowaitforthat."
IndyCar is a big U.S. racing league for open-wheel race cars. Long Beach is a famous track where IndyCar races, so it’s a notable event for fans.
IndyCar Racing is the top open-wheel racing series in the United States, using purpose-built race cars on road courses and ovals. It’s a major motorsport event alongside NASCAR and Formula One, and Long Beach is one of its best-known venues.
Formula One
"AndFormulaOne. FormulaOne,they'reonahiatusbecauseoftheconflict,uh,theBrainChiefGrandPrixandtheSuperman."
Formula One is the top international racing series with very advanced race cars. The calendar can pause or shift when races conflict with other events.
Formula One (F1) is the world’s premier open-wheel racing series, known for highly engineered cars and a global calendar of races. The speaker mentions it being on hiatus due to scheduling/conflict, which is common when events overlap.
lawn mower racing
"Andmyfavorite,I'vegotthe2026calendaroflawnmowerracing. ... We'regonnatakeapushmowertoarace?"
Lawn mower racing is exactly what it sounds like: people race modified riding lawn mowers. It’s like motorsport, but with lawn equipment instead of cars.
Lawn mower racing is a motorsport niche where modified riding lawn mowers are raced on tracks or courses. While not a mainstream automotive series, it’s still about vehicle setup, traction, and mechanical reliability—just in a smaller, simpler platform.
Audi
"Now,this is whenever Audi was founded. Now,the um August Horsch actually established Audi... Now he ended up going and creating his own company, which he named Audi..."
Audi is a German car brand. The episode is explaining how the brand name came from an earlier inventor’s name and how the company evolved over time.
The speaker is tracing the origin of Audi, tying it to August Horch and the early German auto industry. Audi’s name is presented as a translation of “Horch” into German, which is a common piece of brand-history context for enthusiasts.
Volkswagen Group
"And it went through a lot of iterations, a lot of mergers and things, and finally ended up with the Volkswagen Group where it is now."
The Volkswagen Group is the big company that owns several car brands. The episode is saying Audi became part of that larger group.
The speaker says Audi “finally ended up with the Volkswagen Group,” which is the modern corporate umbrella that owns multiple automotive brands. This matters historically because it explains how brands consolidate under larger holding companies over time.
Autolite Company
"Now, this was important because they produced electrical components... Now, you may have heard of the Autolite Company, but the Autolite name was actually associated a whole lot with Ford."
Autolite was a company that made electrical parts for cars. The episode connects it to Ford because Ford used Autolite-branded components.
Autolite is referenced as a company that produced electrical components and became associated with early automotive electrical standardization. The episode also connects the Autolite name to Ford through the use of parts like spark plugs.
Lincoln Zephyr
"The April 5th, 1936, the introduction of the Lincoln Zephyr. Now, this vehicle was made from 1936 to 1942. It had the V-12 engine init."
The Lincoln Zephyr is a Lincoln model that came out in 1936. It’s remembered for being a bit more affordable than some other Lincolns, while still using a V-12 engine.
The Lincoln Zephyr was introduced in 1936 and produced through 1942, representing a more accessible Lincoln offering. The speaker notes it used a V-12 engine and positioned itself as a market “value” alternative within Lincoln’s lineup.
GulfCoastAutoShield
"Well,whynotletGulfCoastAutoShieldprotectit? HoustonianJohnGrayinvitesyoutohisstate-of-the-artfacility tointroduceyoutohisspecialistteamofautoenthusiasts."
This is a local shop that helps protect and improve the outside of your car. They do things like paint protection and tint, and they’re marketing themselves to Houston-area car owners.
GulfCoastAutoShield is an aftermarket shop in Houston that offers exterior protection and appearance services. The segment frames it as a go-to place for car enthusiasts looking for paint protection, window tint, and windshield protection.
ceramic coating
"Whetheryou'relookingtomassageyouroriginalpainttoalikenewappearance,applyaceramiccoating,installapaintprotectionfilm,nanoceramicwindowtent,oranewwindshieldprotectioncalledExoshield,"
Ceramic coating is a protective layer put on your car’s paint. It helps water bead up and can make the car easier to clean and look newer longer.
A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer/ceramic layer applied to paint to add hydrophobic water beading and improved stain resistance. It’s often marketed as easier cleaning and longer-lasting gloss compared with basic waxes, though it still requires proper prep and maintenance.
paint protection film
"Whetheryou'relookingtomassageyouroriginalpainttoalikenewappearance,applyaceramiccoating,installapaintprotectionfilm,nanoceramicwindowtent,oranewwindshieldprotectioncalledExoshield,"
Paint protection film is a clear protective sheet that you put on the front of your car. It helps prevent chips and scratches from rocks and debris.
Paint protection film (PPF) is a clear, urethane film applied to high-impact areas like the hood, bumper, and fenders. It’s designed to protect against rock chips, light scratches, and road debris while remaining visually subtle.
radar detector
"Howaboutaprofessionallyinstalledradardetector? GulfCoastAutoShielddoesthattoo."
A radar detector is a device that warns you when police radar is being used nearby. It’s meant to help you stay aware of speed enforcement.
A radar detector is an electronic device that alerts the driver to radar signals used by law enforcement for speed measurement. The segment positions it as a professionally installed alternative to buying new exterior items, emphasizing convenience and installation quality.
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