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SAVANNAH, Ga. — The state of Georgia and local governments are giving $1.8 billion in tax breaks and other incentives to Hyundai Motor Group in exchange for the automaker building its first U.S. plant dedicated to electric vehicles near Savannah, according to the signed agreement disclosed July 22.

Ford Motor Co. has secured enough battery supply to build more than half a million electric vehicles annually by late next year, a quantum leap above the 27,140 battery-powered cars it sold in the U.S. last year.

Ford Motor Co. is preparing to cut as many as 8,000 jobs in the coming weeks as the automaker tries to boost profits to fund its push into the electric vehicle market, according to people familiar with the plan.

The U.S. Postal Service plans to substantially increase the number of electric-powered vehicles it’s buying to replace its fleet of aging delivery trucks, officials said July 20.

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The local economic development agency that worked with Georgia officials in recruiting Hyundai Motor Group to build a $5.5 billion electric car plant near Savannah approved its portions of the deal July 19, though details of tax breaks and other incentives have yet to be disclosed.

General Motors Co. will start selling a battery-powered Chevrolet Blazer next year, giving it a direct competitor to Tesla Inc.’s Model Y, the nation’s best-selling electric SUV.

The Georgia Department of Transportation will partner with real estate giant JLL on a plan to expand electric vehicle charging stations across the state and obtain federal funding to help do it.

With an Aug. 1 deadline looming, states are finalizing their electric vehicle infrastructure deployment plans.

Federal Highway Administration officials and emergency responders foresee a need to prepare for large fires in crashes and incidents from lithium-ion battery-powered heavy trucks.

Walmart Inc.’s deal backing an electric vehicle startup has some strings, including a provision preventing sales to rival Amazon.