The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to release a second-round grant solicitation for the Fast Charge TN Network Grant Program in the spring of 2025. This round of funding will support the continued development of the Fast Charge Network in Tennessee, building out DC fast charging infrastructure at least every 50 miles along prioritized corridors. An interactive version of the of the infrastructure gap map details the 13 infrastructure gap areas of priority. Applicants may propose to develop fast charging infrastructure at any location within 1 - 5 travel miles of each highlighted corridor segment (numbered 1 - 13).

TDEC and TVA partnered to develop a statewide electric vehicle (EV) fast charging network to power the growth of EVs across Tennessee and reduce barriers to transportation electrification. Specifically, the two signed an agreement in 2021 to collaborate and fund a network of fast charging stations every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways. The Program to date has resulted in 28 new charging sites to date in Tennessee, with another approximately 20 in progress, and will ultimately result in about 65 total new fast charging locations along prioritized corridor infrastructure gaps.

TDEC invites Tennesseans to submit nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards, which recognize individuals, businesses, and other organizations for their commitment to preserving the state’s natural resources. The honors include 10 categories: Agriculture and Forestry; Building Green; Clean Air and Transportation Solutions, Energy and Renewable Resources; Environmental Education and Outreach; Materials Management; Natural Resources; Water Quality; Sustainable Performance; and Lifetime Achievement. Transportation Solutions is new to the Clean Air category, incorporating an award previously given through the Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Awards.

The nominee must be located in Tennessee and the project fully implemented in the two years prior to December 31, 2024, or for long-term projects finalized in the year prior to the nomination deadline. All nominees must have a minimum of three consecutive years of overall environmental compliance with TDEC. Self-nominations are encouraged. Nominations will be accepted through March 14.

The East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition (ETCF) was recently selected as one of seven EPA-funded Community Initiatives for Transportation projects. The funding will support the project Advancing Community Transportation Initiatives and Outreach in East Knoxville (ACTION East Knoxville). Through the project, ETCF will partner and collaborate with community benefits organizations to build out community-driven project ideas to present to decision-makers and to guide the direction of a transportation action plan.

U.S. DOE’s Loan Program Office announced in December a direct loan of up to $9.63 billion to BlueOval SK to construct up to three manufacturing plants for the production of batteries for Ford Motor Company’s future Ford and Lincoln EVs. The Tennessee facility would be located at Ford’s BlueOval City complex in West Tennessee.

Ford recently released a Good Neighbor Plan for West Tennessee, where Ford’s BlueOval City complex is located, which consists of a $9 million commitment to community investments, workforce development, and environmental protection. The Plan, which was created based on community input, aims to invest in the well-being of West Tennessee residents. Investments include scholarships for automotive-related manufacturing, creating a Ford Community Center in Stanton, and funding for community support programs. Learn how to access the Plan’s services here.

Energizing Tennessee, a podcast from the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) and FirstBank, explores the latest news and insights about the advanced energy sector with experts sharing their thoughts on transportation electrification, workforce development, and the growing sector of advanced energy in Tennessee’s economy.

In episode twenty-nine, host Cortney Piper interviews Tasia Malakasis, CEO of CO.LAB, about empowering entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator. The episode also includes guests Jonathan Lamer, Founder, and Alvaro Macias, CTO of Moduly, a Canadian startup focused on pioneering energy resiliency; the startup is now thriving in Tennessee after participating in CO.LAB’s accelerator program.

All episodes are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Click here to listen.

The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) will host its Annual Meeting in Nashville on March 5. The Annual Meeting brings TAEBC members, stakeholders, and potential members together to celebrate Tennessee’s growing advanced energy economy. TDEC OEP Director Molly Cripps will speak about the Fast Charge TN Network Grant Program as well as other OEP program offerings. Reserve a spot at the Annual Meeting here.

The Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo will take place April 28 – May 1 in Anaheim, CA. The Expo unites the transportation sector in an effort to reduce emissions from goods movement, the service industry, and passenger transportation while also driving economic sustainability. The fleet-focused conference agenda showcases the innovations, solutions, policies, and programs driving sustainable commercial transportation. Through dynamic keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, technical workshops, and in-depth breakout sessions, attendees gain invaluable insights into the future of the industry. Additionally, at ACT Expo, the world’s leading OEMs and commercial transportation technology providers showcase the latest products, solutions, and vehicles designed to decarbonize transport and pave a road to a cleaner future. Register for the Act Expo here.

U.S. DOE recently announced its Fiscal Year 2025 Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Program Wide funding opportunity. This program will award up to $88 million for projects that will seek innovative transportation solutions for on- and off-road vehicles.

Topics in the Notice of Funding Opportunity include: 

VTO expects to make about 27-47 awards under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), each ranging between $1 and $6 million. Concept papers are due April 1 and full applications are due June 18.

East Tennessee Clean Fuels and Drive Electric TN recently launched the Charging Smart Program to accelerate EV adoption across Tennessee. This program is designed by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) to support communities across Tennessee in the equitable expansion of EV infrastructure. Funded by U.S. DOE, the program provides personalized, no-cost technical assistance and a nationally recognized designation system to help local governments align their policies with national best practices for EV adoption. Interested local governments in Tennessee can learn more and express their interest in participating by filling out the interest form available here.

U.S. DOE recently released Strategy for Achieving a Beneficial Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) Future, developed as part of U.S. DOE's EVGrid Assist initiative. The Strategy identifies U.S. DOE activities that support utilities, EV automakers, regulators, charging providers, aggregators, and other stakeholders as they implement VGI solutions. The outlined strategies highlight ways to enhance affordability, support grid resilience and reliability, and facilitate a positive customer charging experience to meet the market’s needs.

Additionally, the Smart Electric Power Alliance also released a report on the State of Managed Charging in 2024. The report highlights the challenges associated with managed charging today and shares industry best practices for implementing utility managed charging programs, including those focused on distribution-level optimization.

The Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance recently began a newsletter to spotlight hydrogen news, developments, and events shaping the southeast. View the inaugural newsletter here, and subscribe to the newsletter here.

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

Past Monthly Newsletters: 

December 2024

November 2024

October 2024

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

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.