NEWS AND EVENTS

 First Fast Charge TN Network Grant-Funded EV Chargers Installed in Martin 


TDEC, TVA, and local officials recently gathered in the City of Martin to celebrate the first electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging location in Tennessee as part of the Fast Charge TN Network Grant Program. TVA and TDEC have brought together local power companies, State and local government partners, and others to pave the way for over 200,000 EVs on Tennessee roads by 2028. This first location is the result of a partnership with Weakley County Municipal Electric System, TVA, and Seven States Power Corporation. Click here to watch a video with TVA CEO Jeff Lyash, TDEC Commissioner David Salyers, and Weakley County Municipal Electric System Manager Andrea Harrington discussing the project and its impact on the community. 
White House Announces Approval of the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program
Tennessee is one of 35 states to receive approval of its plan ahead of schedule by the U.S. DOE under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. With this early approval, Tennessee now has access to federal NEVI formula funding for FY22-23 to install EV chargers along Tennessee’s highways, complementing the network being installed through the Fast Charge TN initiative. 

Approved Plans are available on U.S. DOT's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) website, and funding tables for the full five years of the NEVI Formula program can be viewed here. FHWA is also working on related efforts to establish ground rules for how formula NEVI funds can be spent. FHWA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on proposed minimum standards and requirements for projects funded under the NEVI Formula Program and plans to finalize program guidelines in the coming months.

For more information on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and investments in EVs, please visit FHWA's BIL website.
Watch Season Two of "In Charge: Life with an Electric Vehicle"
On this season of "In Charge: Life with an Electric Vehicle,”  host and Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne visits Memphis, TN, in a Ford Mustang Mach-E with Super Bowl Champion Michael Oher; Florence and Muscle Shoals, AL with Grammy Award-winning musician John Paul White in an Audi e-tron; and drives from Tupelo to Oxford, MI in a Rivian R1T electric truck with TikToker Lexy “Serial Tipper” Burke.

All episodes of both seasons can be found on TVA’s EnergyRight website

Knoxville Asks for Public Input on EV Charger Site Locations
The City of Knoxville recently announced it will take steps to keep up with the growing consumer demand for EVs by installing additional, publicly accessible charging stations. Before a concrete plan is in place, Knoxville is asking the public to complete a survey and provide input on where they think the best locations would be for new charging stations. Knoxville is accepting exact addresses, businesses, and general locations, all of which will be added to the running list of suggestions. The City currently offers 11 free public EV charging sites
Federal Transit Administration Bus and Low- and No- Emission Grant Awards FY22
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced $1.66 billion in grants to transit agencies, territories, and states for buses and bus facilities across the U.S. The agency said in a press release that the grants would enable the purchase of 1,800 new buses, including 1,100 zero-emission buses. The competitive grants were awarded through the FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities and Low- and No-Emission Vehicle programs, which were funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted last year. 

Through these grants, the Tennessee Department of Transportation will receive funding on behalf of urban and rural transit agencies across the state to purchase new buses and close to 200 demand response vehicles to replace older vehicles that have surpassed their useful life. The project will improve service reliability and the fleet's state of good repair throughout Tennessee.

Additionally, Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) will receive $54 million to build an operations and maintenance facility. The facility, to be located in Memphis, will accommodate more than 300 vehicles, improve safety, and ensure a good state of repair for the bus fleet. MATA will also receive funding to purchase all-electric buses and associated charging equipment and to provide workforce development training for operating and maintaining the buses. 
EV Manufacturing Investments in Tennessee
Tritium Celebrates Grand Opening in Lebanon
Tritium recently celebrated the grand opening of its new EV fast charge facility in Lebanon. The global charging station manufacturer intends to build between 10,000 and 30,000 fast charging stations each year at the new facility, which will employ more than 500 Tennesseans over the next five years, helping to build out EV charging infrastructure and electrify transportation.
Piedmont Lithium to Invest $582 Million in McMinn County Manufacturing Facility
Earlier this month, Piedmont Lithium announced it will invest $582 million to establish a lithium hydroxide processing, refining, and manufacturing facility in Southeast Tennessee. Located in McMinn County at the North Etowah Industrial Park, the new facility is projected to create 117 new jobs. As a producer of lithium hydroxide, a critical component in the supply chain for both the EV and battery storage markets, Piedmont’s Tennessee Lithium project will support energy security in the U.S. and the transition to a clean energy economy in North America. 
DENSO Manufacturing Inc. Invests $11 million in Maryville Plant Renovations
Maryville-based DENSO Manufacturing Inc. has invested $11 million in plant renovations over the past several months. DENSO announced nearly five years ago an investment of $1 billion into their Maryville manufacturing plant to transform it into a hub for EV parts and safety systems. The vehicle systems produced in Maryville will help meet the increasing EV demand across Tennessee and the U.S.  
UPCOMING EVENTS
National Drive Electric Week Events in Tennessee
National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. Register for an in-person or online event below and check out each event page for information on how to participate in or volunteer for the event.

  • Metro Nashville EV Ride & Learn: September 28, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm CT
    Learn how Metro Nashville Government is working to increase EV adoption and spread awareness of the benefits of EVs. Attendees will be able to see and ride in a Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ionic, Tesla Model Y, VW ID.4, Polestar, or try a BCycle electric bike. The event will take place at the Metro Nashville Department of General Services Fulton Campus in the parking area on the Northwest side of the garage. Register now. 

  • 2022 Chattanooga Drive Electric Festival: October 1, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm ET
    This one-day event will take place at The Bend in Chattanooga, and feature a variety of plug-in hybrid and battery EVs: cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles. Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority’s (CARTA) bus electrification progress will be featured, along with area dealerships representing their EV inventory. Register now.

  • Drive Electric Nashville & Middle Tennessee Event: October 1, 8:00 am – 11:00 am CT
    The event will occur at the Nashville Technology Council and will feature a variety of EVs on display. Register now.

  • Tennessee Tech: EV Ride and Drive: October 2, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm CT
    This EV Ride & Drive event will take place at the Cookeville Sam's Club and will provide participants a chance to test drive an EV firsthand and witness the latest vehicle technologies. Visitors are also welcome to chat with students and faculty about the EV ecosystem and ask any questions that come to mind about EVs or their chargers. Register now.
U.S. DOE Webinar Series: EV Grid Assist
U.S. DOE is hosting a webinar series as part of DOE’s EVGrid Assist: Accelerating the Transition initiative. This initiative aims to support decision-makers by providing timely information on a wide range of topics important to the integration of EVs and the grid. More information regarding EV Grid Assist and registration links for the upcoming webinars can be found at www.evgridassistwebinars.com. Click on any webinar title listed below to register.  

 Register Now: Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo
TDEC, TDOT, and Tennessee Clean Fuels will hold the Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo (STF&E) on November 8-9 at the UT Conference Center in downtown Knoxville, returning the event to an in-person format for the first time since 2019. The research, technology, planning, and policy developments shared at STF&E aim to improve transportation efficiency, reduce vehicle emissions, and address the mobility needs of all. This year STF&E will feature expert speakers and panels, an alternative fuel vehicle and equipment showcase, and a ceremony that honors winners of the Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Awards.

This year, STF&E will be preceded by the inaugural Drive Electric TN Momentum Summit on November 7, which will focus exclusively on transportation electrification efforts including breakout groups focused on outreach, EV infrastructure, policies & programs and innovation. Register now for both STF&E and the Momentum Summit.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
 FHWA Carbon Reduction Program 
The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support a wide range of projects designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from on-road highway sources, from installing infrastructure to support the electrification of freight vehicles or personal cars, to constructing Bus Rapid Transit corridors, to facilitating micro-mobility and biking. Under the CRP, states must develop carbon reduction strategies in consultation with Metropolitan Planning Organizations to identify projects and strategies tailored to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in their states. The five-year funding table for total estimated CRP state-by-state funding for Fiscal Years 2022-2026 is available here.
Inflation Reduction Act: Energy Security and Climate Change Programs
The funding included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will bring down consumer energy costs and increase American energy security while substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The investments in the bill will reduce emissions in every sector of the economy, substantially reducing emissions from electricity production, transportation, industrial manufacturing, buildings, and agriculture.

Transportation funding from the bill includes:
  • Tax credits and grants for clean fuels and clean commercial vehicles to reduce emissions from all parts of the transportation sector. 
  • Tax credits and grants to support the domestic production of biofuels and to build the infrastructure needed for sustainable aviation fuel and other biofuels. 
  • $3 billion in grants to reduce air pollution at ports by purchasing and installing zero-emission equipment and technology. 
  • $1 billion for clean heavy-duty vehicles, including school and transit buses as well as garbage trucks. 
  • $3 billion for Neighborhood Access and Equity Grants to support neighborhood equity, safety, and affordable transportation access with four competitive grants to reconnect communities divided by existing infrastructure barriers, mitigate adverse impacts of transportation facilities or construction projects on disadvantaged or underserved communities, and support equitable transportation planning and community engagement activities.
Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program – Planning Grants and Capital Construction Grants
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has established the new Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) discretionary grant program, which includes $1 billion in funding over the next five years. It is the first-ever program to help reconnect communities previously cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure. Funding supports planning grants, capital construction grants, and technical assistance to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of eligible transportation infrastructure facilities. Eligible facilities include highways, roads, streets, parkways, or other transportation facilities, such as rail lines, that create a barrier to community connectivity, including barriers to mobility, access, or economic development due to high speeds, grade separations, or other design factors.

For planning grants, eligible entities include states, local governments, federally recognized Tribal governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and nonprofit organizations. Eligible planning activities include:
  • planning studies of current traffic patterns on the eligible facility proposed for removal, retrofit, or mitigation and the surrounding street network; transportation network capacity; alternative roadway designs or other uses for the right-of-way; impacts on the mobility of freight and people; impacts on the safety of the traveling public; cost; anticipated economic impacts and environmental impacts.
  • public engagement activities to provide the public opportunities to provide input into a plan to remove and convert an eligible facility; and
  • other transportation planning activities required in advance of a project to remove, retrofit, or mitigate an existing eligible facility to restore community connectivity, as determined by DOT.

U.S. DOT held a webinar to provide a general overview of the RCP discretionary grant program for prospective applicants, including elements of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and the evaluation criteria. Click here to view the recording (password: i6X7uTW&). Complete funding applications are due through grants.gov by October 13. Contact ReconnectingCommunities@dot.gov with questions.
RESOURCES AND GUIDES
New White House Consumer Website for the Inflation Reduction Act 
The White House released a website on the Inflation Reduction Act where consumers can see which key provisions apply to them, including tax credits and rebates. Sign up here for updates as more programs come online. 
Visit the TDEC Office of Energy Programs Website at http://www.tn.gov/environment/energy.
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