Troubles: GM eliminates more than 2,500 EV jobs across Midwest, including 550 in Ohio

General Motors is cutting more than 2,500 jobs across EV and battery operations in Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, making a sharp U-turn from the company’s recent electric vehicle ramp-up.

At GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Factory Zero plant, approximately 1,200 workers will be laid off as the facility transitions to a single-shift schedule starting in January 2026. The plant will remain idle until November 24, then operate two shifts until the holiday break, before reducing to one shift on January 5. GM confirmed the shift change is a response to reduced EV demand and ongoing adjustments to its production strategy.

In previous months, the Factory Zero site had announced multiple shift cuts, including reductions tied to the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ production lines.

In Ohio, 550 jobs will be permanently eliminated at the Ultium Cells battery plant located in Warren. An additional 850 workers at the same site will be placed on what they’re calling “temporary layoff” beginning in January. In Spring Hill, Tennessee, another 700 employees will be temporarily laid off during the same period. GM said that the downtime will be used to upgrade both facilities for more flexible production capabilities.

Crushing news for the hardworking people of the Mahoning Valley & yet another consequence of failed central planning: Washington D.C. forced the auto industry to chase EV quotas the market didn’t want. That government mistake is now the cause of 550 layoffs at the GM plant in… https://t.co/OE0bbJgqpD

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) October 29, 2025

“In response to slower near-term EV adoption and an evolving regulatory environment, General Motors is realigning EV capacity…” the company said in a statement. GM added that affected workers may be eligible for SUB pay and benefits under the National GM-UAW Agreement.

Additional layoffs are planned at GM’s Pontiac Metal Center, where 45 employees will be temporarily let go, as well as Rochester Operations in New York, which will temporarily cut 74 workers. Both cuts are scheduled to begin on Nov. 17. The affected plants supply components for Factory Zero in Detroit.

Approximately 2,000 workers will remain at the Detroit plant, with GM stating that layoff decisions will be based on seniority.

Beyond GM, battery manufacturing plants across the industry have been scaled back in recent months, as automakers such as Ford and Stellantis reassess investment levels and interest in electric vehicle programs. Each has delayed or restructured battery plant projects, citing similar concerns around cost, demand, and the shifting regulatory landscape.

A GM spokesperson, Kevin Kelly, confirmed the production slowdowns and said further changes may occur depending on market conditions.

GM has also stated that its overall commitment to U.S. manufacturing remains in place, but that its EV production targets are being reevaluated in light of current market conditions.