TDEC Deputy Commissioner Adkins at the Smart Mobility Expo.

TDEC OEP Deputy Director Voytek speaks on a panel at the Smart Mobility Expo.

Alongside TDOT, TNECD, and the TennSMART Consortium, TDEC staff members supported the execution of the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo on May 12 in Nashville. TDEC Deputy Commissioner Ronne Adkins joined TDEC OEP Deputy Director Alexa Voytek to speak at the event, providing remarks to introduce a panel entitled, “Connecting the Dots: Freight Innovation in Motion.” The panel explored how the state is advancing a more efficient, technology-enabled freight ecosystem and highlighted the recent release of the Tennessee Freight Electrification Framework. The Expo is a celebration of the latest transportation technologies, innovations, and research that make Tennessee an emerging leader in mobility solutions. The Expo was attended by leaders from vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, Tennessee-based research institutions and universities, fleet operators, utilities, municipalities, state agencies, and the advanced transportation ecosystem, fostering valuable connections. This year's expo explored new platforms and technologies that are driving industry transformation, breaking down concepts, understanding their transportation applications, and showcasing how industry is partnering with researchers, regulators, and policymakers to facilitate this transformation.

TDEC OEP recently released the Tennessee Freight Electrification Framework, which aims to support commercial fleets that wish to transition to all-electric vehicles (EVs). The framework is based on industry-leading research, conversations with stakeholders, and support from the National Association of State Energy Officials’ Freight Electrification Advisory Group.

Commercial fleets are increasingly interested in adopting medium- and heavy-duty EVs. While early adopters have shown that this technology can be leveraged as a win-win for the industry — reducing expenses while meeting customer demands and improving driver satisfaction — initial pilots also indicate that the freight sector faces unique challenges to electrification.

The framework is intended to be a starting point and a living document that can be updated as freight electrification technologies and business models mature. Utilizing the same overarching opportunity areas as the DriveElectricTN Roadmap, this framework includes a suite of initiatives that stakeholders can undertake to remove barriers and promote fuel and powertrain choice for this vital industry.

TDEC OEP, in partnership with the DriveElectricTN (DET) statewide collaborative, has released an updated strategy to guide Tennessee’s electric transportation future. The 2026 Roadmap for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Tennessee builds on progress since the initial strategy was implemented in 2019, incorporating updated industry data and lessons learned in project implementation to clarify priorities and guide action across Tennessee over the next 10 years.

The Roadmap includes new and expanded goals for transportation electrification, including a goal to support the deployment of 750,000 light-duty EVs in Tennessee by 2035. The Roadmap not only considers light-duty electrification but also addresses goals and activities for other areas of interest, including medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification; infrastructure deployment; and emerging technologies (such as second-life battery use, battery recycling, bi-directional charging, and smart charge management technologies).

The 2026 Roadmap is designed to guide collaborative action that supports continued EV growth. DET encourages involvement among partners and the public through DET membership or direct participation in its working groups and local DET chapters. While the Roadmap provides a long-term framework for priorities surrounding Tennessee’s EV adoption, the identification and completion of work is a dynamic, ongoing effort.

TDEC OEP and DET will host the informational webinar, DriveElectricTN Launches 2026 Roadmap, on June 4 at 1:30 PM Central.

Image courtesy of TNECD.

Light Electric Vehicles (LEV) Manufacturing, which produces and distributes electric bicycles and related products, recently announced that it will establish a new facility in Algood to serve as its primary U.S. assembly, logistics, and fulfillment center. LEV Manufacturing will acquire a 100,000 square-foot production and distribution facility, creating 288 jobs and investing $7 million in Algood. The new facility is expected to play a key role in supporting the company’s multi-brand platform and U.S.-based manufacturing strategy, including partnerships with Tennessee’s research institutions to advance product innovation, battery technology, advanced manufacturing processes, and workforce development initiatives.

If you install property to store or dispense an alternative fuel (e.g., compressed natural gas, propane autogas, etc.) or to recharge EVs at a home or business on or prior to June 30, 2026, you may qualify for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit. Both individuals and organizations can apply, including for-profit, tax-exempt, and government entities. Tax-exempt and government entities should apply through the mechanism of elective pay.

Eligible Parties:

As of July 5, 2025, the credit applies to property placed in service on or before June 30, 2026. Federal tax credits are available for consumers, fleets, and businesses that install EV charging stations before this deadline.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will offer Cades Cove Vehicle-Free Days every Wednesday through September 30. These designated days allow pedestrians and cyclists to experience the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road without motor vehicles. 

Nashville Connector is a transportation demand management program and hub for employers and employees in the Nashville region to plan commutes, which aims to educate residents about all of our transportation options. Upcoming events include:

DriveElectricTN regularly supports events across the state, offering opportunities for attendees to learn more about EVs and EV charging, talk to EV owners, and complete EV test drives and rides. On June 6 in Townsend, TN, DriveElectricTN and the Knoxville Electric Vehicle Association will host the 2026 EVs in the Smokies event, the sixth annual EV showcase in Townsend, TN. The event will feature a wide range of EVs and offer ride-and-drive opportunities.

Additionally, DriveElectricTN, in partnership with TDEC OEP, will host the informational webinar, DriveElectricTN Launches 2026 Roadmap on June 4 at 1:30 PM Central. The webinar will provide an overview of the 2026 Refresh of the Roadmap for Electric Vehicles in Tennessee, an updated strategy to guide Tennessee’s electric transportation future. The Roadmap includes new and expanded goals for transportation electrification, including a goal to support the deployment of 750,000 light-duty EVs in Tennessee by 2035.  

The Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance will host the webinar Hydrogen Takes Flight on June 18 at 10:00 AM Central. This webinar will explore how the aeronautics industry is using hydrogen as a fuel in the air and on the ground, and include speakers from HYSKY Society, a nonprofit committed to decarbonizing aviation and aerospace with hydrogen.

The 2026 Transit Citizen Leadership Academy (TCLA), hosted by the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee, is a 10-week regional leadership experience, beginning August 11, designed for people who want to learn more about how transit and mobility investments affect quality of life across Middle Tennessee. TCLA brings together emerging and established leaders from across the region to explore the issues shaping our future: transportation, economic growth, affordability, workforce access, housing, and regional connectivity. Applications are due June 10.

TVA EnergyRight and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) are offering $775.00 training stipends through the TVA EnergyRight EVITP Scholarship Program to qualified electricians in the Tennessee Valley who complete the EVITP course and exam. Stipends are available on a , and reimbursement will occur after course completion. This program is open to current and prospective members of the TVA Quality Contractor Network (QCN) and will run until December or until funds are exhausted.

The EVITP consists of the following steps:

Charging Smart supports local governments in setting and achieving impactful EV readiness goals. Funded by the U.S. DOE, Charging Smart offers free technical assistance to help local governments adopt policies, practices, and incentives that exemplify recognized best practices for enabling efficient EV charger expansion. The actions to achieve designation (also referred to as “criteria”) include tasks such as reviewing zoning requirements for EV charging installation; coordinating with utilities to launch or expand EV charging incentive programs; and installing public EV charging. View the program guide here. 

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced the launch of the Innovation & Research for Industry Success (IRIS) Grant Program, which aims to enhance and facilitate partnerships between private industry and the state’s leading research institutions. The grant program will encourage companies to pilot innovative technologies and pursue new discoveries within the state, which, in turn, will facilitate collaborations that highlight the strength of Tennessee’s research capabilities and foster long-term corporate investment in the state’s innovation ecosystem.

Prior to applying for funding, the IRIS Intake Form must be submitted to confirm program eligibility. Applications for the inaugural round of IRIS funding are open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Metro Nashville’s Choose How You Move (CHYM) is a transportation improvement program that aims to make practical, cost-effective investments that improve daily mobility, connect people to jobs, schools, and essential services, and make streets safer across Nashville and Davidson County. The CHYM Investments to Date Map highlights projects that are currently funded and advancing. Use the layers and zoom tools to explore by neighborhood, corridor, or project type, and discover how CHYM is shaping safer, more connected transportation for everyone.

Visit the TDEC Office of Energy Programs Website at http://www.tn.gov/environment/energy.

Past Monthly Newsletters: 

April 2026

March 2026

February 2026

For more information or to submit an idea for a future Monthly Transportation Edition, contact:

Kaitlyn Jauch, Grants Analyst
TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-339-8860 or kaitlyn.jauch@tn.gov

OR

Alexa Voytek, Deputy Director, OEP Programs
U.S. DOE State Energy Program / Innovation & Transportation / Communications
TDEC Office of Energy Programs
 615-613-1096 or alexa.voytek@tn.gov

OR

Mark Finlay, Senior Energy Analyst, TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-772-6011 or mark.finlay@tn.gov

Acknowledgement: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) under the State Energy Program Award Number DE-SE0001095.

Disclaimer: This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government.  Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.