Latest news with #Prochazka
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tennessee's electric vehicle industry could stall under ‘Big Beautiful Bill' tax credit cuts
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee's booming electric vehicle industry could be in limbo if the U.S. Senate passes President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' as is. The proposal includes cuts to federal tax credits for EV owners and manufacturers. Tennessee is a leader in the EV industry in the Southeast, with three EV manufacturing plants and multiple battery plants under construction. The industry has created more than 16,300 jobs and drawn $17.6 billion in investments in the Volunteer State, according to the Electrification Coalition. Federal tax credits for EV owners and manufacturers, which were a part of the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022, including an up to $7,500 tax credit for many who purchase an EV, have incentivized owning and building EVs, aiding the industry's rapid growth, Ben Prochazka, the executive director of the Electrification Coalition told News 2. 'These credits were designed to help make sure that the U.S. is really a leader and can catch up to other countries that have really invested a lot more in the policy or just direct investments that can support the cultivation of that industry,' Prochazka said. However, those federal tax credits could be cut if the Senate passes the budget bill as is. President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' includes cuts to all tax credits regarding EVs. Prochazka argued the cuts would put EV jobs and investments at risk. 'What the inflation reduction act credits did was it was intended to really unlock huge private sector investments, and that happened, but now those private sector investments are a question mark because companies that were planning to build battery manufacturing facilities and or vehicle manufacturing are slowing down and in some cases canceling those plans altogether,' Prochazka said. 'If we don't make these investments, we have the potential to fall way behind and lose vast numbers of automotive sector jobs, battery jobs, infrastructure jobs, and those are all really critical to states like Tennessee, but also across the country.' ⏩ President Trump has long spoken against the federal tax credits for EVs and has been vocal about his support for the traditional automotive industry and its workers. Republicans hope to send the bill to the President's desk by July 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Advocates say US House budget cuts will harm NC's electric vehicle industry
An EVgo fast charging station charges a vehicle. (Photo: Loren Elliott for CalMatters) Advocates for speeding the nation's transition to electric vehicles have joined the list of groups and individuals criticizing the massive budget reconciliation bill that was narrowly approved by U.S. House Republicans last week. In a news release distributed Tuesday, Ben Prochazka, the executive director of the nonprofit Electrification Coalition said the bill 'takes a sledgehammer' to North Carolina's electric vehicle (EV) industry and would undo EV tax credits that have led to 16,300 jobs and $20.4 billion in investments in the state. Among the provisions in current law that would be eliminated by the legislation: a tax credit of up to $7,500 for the purchase of an eligible new EV a 30% tax credit up to $100,000 per single item or $1,000 for eligible home refueling infrastructure a credit that supports a portion of the cost of producing certain technologies a credit of up to $7,500 for the purchase of eligible commercial EVs under 14,000 pounds and up to $40,000 for those over 14,000 pounds a credit of up to $4,000 for the purchase of an eligible used EV. The bill 'would eliminate critical tax credits that are spurring private-sector investments, supporting critical mineral supply chain development, creating American jobs and ensuring the United States remains competitive in the global automotive market,' Prochazka said in the statement. 'Removing these credits would pull the rug out from under the auto and aligned battery industries at a critical time, immediately putting North Carolina jobs at risk. Industry needs policy certainty and consistency to build domestic and allied supply chains.' The bill now heads to the Senate, where Prochazka said he hopes North Carolina Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd fight to preserve the EV credits. The legislation also would implement a new car tax, which would levy an annual tax of $250 on owners of electric vehicles and $100 for owners of hybrid vehicles. 'While all drivers should pay their fair share, this proposal is nearly three times what the average driver pays in federal gas taxes, which have not covered the cost of infrastructure for nearly 20 years,' Prochazka said. 'Rather than imposing a punitive tax on a subset of Americans, Congress should identify a fuel-neutral solution to the Highway Trust Fund's structural insolvency.' According to the Electrification Coalition, North Carolina is currently home to eight EV and battery manufacturing facilities.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jiri Passed On Title Fight For Exams?!
We always imagined being a UFC matchmaker must be like herding cats, and the past few weeks is proof of that. Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria was arguably the biggest fight the UFC could have booked for UFC 317. But because Makhachev has different ideas about his future and legacy, he decided to vacate the lightweight title and sit out until the end of the year so he can fight Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. Advertisement Now Topuria will fight Charles Oliveira for the 155 pound strap at International Fight Week card in Las Vegas. The card also could have featured Jiri Prochazka, potentially in a light heavyweight title fight against champion Magomed Ankalaev. Normally, the 'Czech Samurai' is prepared to emerge from the woods and fight at the drop of a hat if it gets him a step closer to the belt. But when the UFC offered him a spot on UFC 317, he turned them down. 'We had one offer for a match, but everything is being postponed because of school,' Prochazka's coach Matin Karaivanov told 'Once he finishes it, we will continue negotiations.' Jiri is currently attending Masaryk University in Brno where he's working on a Security and Strategic Studies degree, and the finals are in June. Advertisement Now we're left wondering what fight Prochazka passed up to focus on his schoolwork. Recently, Ankalaev claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the UFC offered him a fight on the June pay-per-view card, just days after his rival Alex Pereira's X account featured a 'hacked' message. 'If they want to play with me, we can do that,' the message read. 'I've never spoken poorly of the UFC but with what I've just heard I'm disheartened. I've already had thoughts of not fighting anymore, and after what was just relayed to me this may be the start.' We have reports that Ankalaev vs. Pereira was indeed proposed by the UFC as a potential main event for UFC 317, but Pereira wasn't willing to take the pivotal rematch on short notice. While this is just speculation, could the UFC have then gone to Prochazka about fighting Ankalaev? Whatever happened behind the scenes to make UFC 317's main event finally come together just shows you how crazy it must be trying to book all these fights. You've got champions turning down superfights and challengers turning down potential title fights for a hundred different reasons. Advertisement If you're wondering why it's a struggle for some fights to get booked, this is it. The UFC has over 600 people they're wrangling, and each one is pulling in their own direction. More from
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC Fans Can't Stop Laughing After Jiri Prochazka Makes a Strange Cameo
UFC fans around the world were treated to an unexpected dose of hilarity and confusion during UFC Fight Night, but it didn't come from the Octagon. As the co-main event was just getting underway during the UFC fight night in Iowa, the attention of the fans briefly shifted to a surprising, almost surreal cameo — former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiri Prochazka, shirtless and dressed in a sumo-style mawashi, banging on traditional Japanese drums with wild intensity. Advertisement As the camera panned across the arena during the opening ceremony of RIZIN's Tokyo event, viewers noticed the unconventional performance unfolding near the fighter walkout area. UFC fans on Twitter and Instagram were quick to share screenshots and video clips of Prochazka's drumming display. "Bro went full samurai drummer in a diaper mid-fight night 😭," one user tweeted. "I didn't know I needed to see Jiri Prochazka in a mawashi until now," another fan quipped. RIZIN picked Jiri Prochazka, Mark Coleman, Tsuyoshi Kosaka, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Shintaro Ishiwatari, Kandori Shinobu and Buakaw Banchamek to make a special introduction at the opening Ceremony... Known for his unorthodox training methods and strong connection to Japanese bushido philosophy, Prochazka has never shied away from doing things his own way. Still, even longtime fans were taken aback by this unexpected appearance. Those familiar with Prochazka's eccentric mindset noted that the moment may have been a symbolic tribute or spiritual performance. 'This is just peak Jiri,' one commenter wrote. 'He's not just fighting — he's living a warrior's life.' While UFC is known for high-octane fights and intense drama, Prochazka's drumming antics offered a light-hearted distraction that nobody saw coming. It remains unclear whether this appearance was part of a larger promotional segment or simply Jiri being... well, Jiri. The UFC has yet to release an official comment on the performance, but the moment has already been immortalized as a fan-favorite meme and highlight of the night. In a sport filled with knockouts, submissions, and surprises, Jiri Prochazka once again proved that when it comes to stealing the show — even off the canvas — he's in a league of his own.
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jiri Prochazka open to facing winner of Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg at UFC London
Jiri Prochazka will have his eyes peeled for the UFC Fight Night 255 co-main event. Jan Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) meets rising contender Carlos Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in a pivotal light heavyweight clash Saturday at The O2 (ESPN+). Originally eyeing a title shot next, Prochazka's plans pivoted after all signs are pointing to a title-fight rematch between champion Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) and Alex Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC). Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who's coming off a knockout of Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in January, wants to stay busy and thinks the winner of Blachowicz vs. Ulberg makes sense for him next. 'I'm just looking for a good fight,' Prochazka told The Schmo. 'But after today's information, like Alex and Ankalaev, they're already confirmed their fight. I don't want to just stay and watch them and wait for the winner. Maybe I will fight with one of these guys with the winner from Saturday night. So let's see who will be the winner. Let the better (man) win.' After three title defenses over Jamahal Hill, Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree, Pereira lost his light heavyweight title to Ankalaev by unanimous decision at UFC 313. Prochazka has no issues with 'Poatan' getting an immediate rematch. 'I think for Alex, it's right,' Prochazka said. 'He has to have the first chance to – he deserves that, to fight against the champion right after. But still, I think he needs a little bit of time to refresh himself and take a little bit of time to upgrade his style, upgrade a few things, and win the battle.' For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
