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Automotive Supplier Magna Announces $790 Million Investment for New Tennessee Facilities |
Magna, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, announced an investment of $790 million for two new facilities in Tennessee to support Ford’s BlueOval City. The automotive supplier will build the facilities at Ford’s BlueOval City supplier park in Stanton to supply battery enclosures, truck frames, and seats for the automaker’s electric truck. These facilities combined are expected to employ approximately 1,050 people. In addition, Magna will construct a new stamping and assembly plant at the Team Lawrence Commerce Park – West in Lawrenceburg, which will produce truck frames and employ around 250 people.
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Report Recognizes Tennessee as a Top State for EV Jobs and Investments |
A recent report by the Environmental Defense Fund, U.S. Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Jobs, recognizes Tennessee as having one of the nation's highest increases in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing investments and jobs. The report notes over $16.6 billion in investments in EV manufacturing since 2015, and reports that Tennessee has added over 18,300 new EV manufacturing jobs in the same period. Notably, most of these investment announcements have occurred since the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, with investments continuing to increase following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.
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| U.S. DOE Announces $27.5 Million Voucher Program for Innovative Energy Technologies
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U.S. DOE recently announced a $27.5 million voucher program to bring innovative energy technologies to market. The vouchers, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of the Technology Commercialization Fund, will be for in-kind commercialization support for organizations that have a role in bringing innovative energy technology to market.
The voucher program has four categories for in-kind support, with the potential for more to be added in the future:
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Pre-demonstration commercialization support to address key adoption risk areas faced by companies already funded by U.S. DOE that are moving on from the research and development stage.
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Performance validation, modeling, and certification support that enables third-party evaluation of technology performance under certification-relevant operating conditions, accelerated lifetime testing to test for potential failure types, and access to advanced modeling and digitization resources.
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Clean energy demonstration project siting/permitting support to help authorities like city or tribal governments understand new clean energy technology benefits and challenges, evaluate siting and permitting best practices developed by similar jurisdictions, develop streamlined permitting processes, and support community engagement on related issues.
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Energy efficiency and renewable energy commercialization support that provides market research, business plans, fundraising road-mapping (from both public and private sources), and other commercialization strategy assistance for companies who have received funding from U.S. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy research and development programs and have a functional technology prototype.
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U.S. DOE intends to open the program for submissions later in 2023 and will post updates and announcements on energywerx.org.
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New U.S. Bicycle Route Connects Nashville and Chattanooga |
The U.S. Bicycle Route System is a growing national network of officially designated, numbered, and signed routes that utilize existing roads, trails, and other pathways appropriate for bike travel. Tennessee recently established a new route, USBR121, that fills a gap across Tennessee, providing a bicycle travel connection between Chattanooga and Nashville. A map of all three U.S. Bicycling Routes in Tennessee is available here.
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Bioenergy Cybersecurity Workshop |
U.S. DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office will host a virtual Bioenergy Cybersecurity Workshop on September 11 from 12:00– 4:00 PM Central, organized by Sandia National Laboratories. The workshop will identify cybersecurity risks in biofuel and bioproduct production and discuss approaches to address cybersecurity challenges. The workshop will include presentations by panelists with expertise in bioprocessing and cybersecurity, followed by participant discussion of the state of practice in biofuel and bioproduct cybersecurity. View the workshop agenda here.
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STRIDE Collaborative 2023 Partners Meeting |
On September 20-21, the STRIDE Collaborative will host its 2023 Annual Partners Meeting in-person in Atlanta, GA. The meeting will include partners from eight southeastern states in agriculture, construction, transportation, shipping, energy, and the environment. It will feature speakers discussing a variety of topics, including transportation electrification, alternative fuels, funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions, and more.
A pre-conference transportation electrification workshop on the EV fleet deployment process will be held on September 19. This workshop will provide a detailed guide to preparing for and deploying EVs, covering topics ranging from charging infrastructure planning, infrastructure maintenance and operations, models for ensuring usage of charging infrastructure at optimal times, and more.
Register now for all three days.
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Save the Date: Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo |
Presented by TennSMART, in partnership with the State and Tennessee Clean Fuels, the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo will be held December 5-6 at the Music City Center in Nashville. The Expo is a showcase of the technology research and development occurring right here in the Volunteer State, from the latest on EV charging and grid security to vehicle-to-infrastructure technology and freight logistics. This year, the Smart Mobility Expo has joined with the Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo. The joint event aims to promote greater networking and educational opportunities for mobility stakeholders.
The Expo is a forum for everyone, from transportation leaders to breakthrough founders, to connect and collaborate on the future of mobility in Tennessee and beyond. With thought-provoking sessions, tech demonstrations, and a custom indoor test track with the latest EVs—including many built in Tennessee—the Expo celebrates the state’s position as an automotive manufacturing giant and generator of smart mobility solutions.
Speakers and panel sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.
Early bird registration will open on September 6. Learn more at tnsmartmobilityexpo.com.
Those interested in sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities at the event should contact Sara Pruneski at sara@hallstrategies.com.
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UPCOMING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES |
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| | EMPOWER TN Workplace Charging Assistance Program |
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Tennessee Clean Fuels announced the launch of the EMPOWER TN Workplace Charging assistance program. The program can provide up to $2,000 in technical assistance and consulting to help with electric vehicle workplace charging through funding from the U.S. DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office. The first round will allow for 24 workplaces to participate.
Available assistance includes:
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- Assistance with assessing your work sites for suitability and collecting information from employees to help determine interest and demand;
- Connections to local power companies, leading charging equipment manufacturers, certified installers, and other important vendors;
- Statewide promotion of your workplace's efforts;
- Resources and planning assistance for installation, signage creation, employee education, company policy development, and more;
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Information and updates on funding opportunities that may offset the cost of purchase and installation; and
- Access to our network of experts and stakeholders.
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USDA Biofuels Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program will award $450 million to increase the sales and use of higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. The expansion of biofuel infrastructure will broaden the availability of renewable fuels like E15, E85, and B20.
These grants will continue to support the infrastructure needed to lower out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling and distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers, and storage tanks. Grants cover up to 75% up to $5 million of total project costs to help facilities convert to higher-blend fuels. The fuel blends must be greater than 10% for ethanol and greater than 5% for biodiesel. Eligible entities include transportation fueling and fuel distribution facilities.
For additional information, view the program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity, Factsheet, FAQs, and How to Apply document. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 PM Eastern September 30
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Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Grants Program |
The Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program is now open for FY 2023. The SMART Grants Program was established to provide grants to eligible public sector agencies to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems to improve transportation efficiency and safety.
The SMART Grants Program includes two stages: Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants and Stage 2 Implementation Grants. U.S. DOT anticipates that only recipients of Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants will be eligible for Stage 2 Implementation Grants and anticipates funding projects of up to $2 million per project for Stage 1 and up to $15 million per project for Stage 2.
Eligible applicants for the SMART Grants Program include states, political subdivisions of a state, tribes, public transit agencies and authorities, public toll authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, and groups of two or more of these eligible entities applying through a single lead applicant.
SMART grants may be used to carry out a project that demonstrates at least one of the following:
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- Coordinated automation
- Connected vehicles
- Sensors
- Systems integration
- Delivery/logistics
- Innovative aviation
- Smart grid
- Traffic signals
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Notice of Funding Opportunity: Tennessee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program |
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In November 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was signed into law. This law includes $7.5 billion in dedicated funding to help make EV charging infrastructure accessible to all Americans for local and long-distance trips. This funding includes a $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program to help states create a network of EV charging infrastructure along nationally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). The State of Tennessee expects to receive approximately $88 million over 5 years (FY2022-2026).
TDOT and TDEC have released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for grant funding under the NEVI-funded Tennessee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (TEVI) Program. Awardees will purchase, install, own, operate, maintain, and report on Program-funded EV charging infrastructure throughout the state of Tennessee.
Applications in response to this NOFO are due no later than Wednesday, November 1, at 5:00 PM Central.
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An informational application webinar was recently held, view the recording of the webinar here. For more information on the application process and program requirements, please visit the TDOT TEVI Program website. Questions regarding the NOFO may be submitted to TDOT.TEVI@tn.gov and will be addressed on the website in the FAQs section.
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Diesel Emissions Reduction Act National Grants |
Under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA), EPA is offering funding assistance to accelerate the upgrade, retrofit, and turnover of the legacy diesel fleets to address diesel emissions and protect public health and air quality.
The DERA program promotes an array of diesel emissions strategies by working with manufacturers, fleet operators, air quality professionals, environmental and community organizations, and state and local officials to address the varying priorities of different regions and sectors.
Eligible applicants include:
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A regional, state (including the District of Columbia), or local agency, Tribal government (or intertribal consortium) or Alaska Native Village, or port authority, which has jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. School districts, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), cities, and counties are all generally eligible entities under this assistance agreement program to the extent that they fall within this definition.
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A nonprofit organization or institution that:
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represents or provides pollution reduction or educational services to persons or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or
- has, as its principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality.
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Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies.
Eligible vehicles and equipment include:
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- School buses
- Class 5 – Class 8 heavy-duty highway vehicles
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Locomotive engines
- Marine engines
- Nonroad engines, equipment, or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo (including at ports or airports), agriculture, mining, or energy production (including stationary generators and pumps).
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New Resources on EV Battery Recycling and Waste and Heavy-Duty Truck Charging
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Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) has created multiple resources on EV battery recycling. Most recently, ANL released a factsheet on EV Batteries and Recycling that overviews the basics of lithium-ion batteries for EVs and end-of-life options. They have previously released a Battery Second Life FAQ document addressing common questions about the varied uses of EV batteries once they have outlived their automotive value.
The lab has also recently released an FAQ: Charging for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks document that addresses commonly asked questions about the megawatt charging system, or SAE J3271 charging standard.
Additionally, the EPA recently released a memo on the regulation of lithium battery waste, including from EVs, that addressed some frequently asked questions. EPA clarified that most lithium-ion batteries should be considered hazardous waste at the end of life and can be managed under hazardous waste management standards for universal waste until they reach a destination for recycling or disposal.
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Non-Fossil Fuel Sources Will Account for Over 80% of New Electric Utility Generation Capacity in the U.S. in 2023 |
U.S. DOE's Vehicle Technologies Office recently noted that amid the transition to an electrified transportation sector, efforts to decarbonize the U.S. power grid are evident in the planned additions and retirements of utility-scale electricity generating capacity. For 2023, added capacity will come primarily from solar (52%) and wind (13%), while batteries for stored energy will provide 17% of the new capacity.
Stay updated on weekly transportation facts from the U.S. DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office by subscribing to the newsletter.
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For more information or to submit an idea for a future Monthly Transportation Edition, contact:
Audrey Jackson, Communications Officer
TDEC Office of Energy Programs
615-917-6683 or audrey.jackson@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
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Acknowledgement: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the State Energy Program Award Number DE-EE0009487
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.
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