NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Transportation is working with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to add several more electric vehicle charging stations across the state.
The state received around $21 million in federal funds for the project, and TDOT said 31 fast-charging locations are needed to fill gaps along the state's "Alternative Fuel Corridors." Those roads include the state's two-digit interstates, as well as US 64. With the federal funds, the state hopes to install charging infrastructure and support an interconnected electric vehicle network across the U.S.
Fuel corridors are only considered to be "fully built out" if they have a charging station installed every 50 miles, if chargers are no more than a mile from corridors, and locations include at least four 150 kW DC fast chargers. Stations need to be able to simultaneously charge at least four electric vehicles at 150 kW.
Federal funding comes from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which allocated a total of $88 million available to Tennessee over a five-year period. With the money, TDOT and TDEC collected applications for a grant program, and the awardees of that program will be responsible for buying, installing, owning, operating, maintaining and reporting on the electric vehicle charging stations.
The design phase of electric vehicle charging stations is expected to begin in August 2024, according to TDOT, before construction starts in December 2024.
A list of areas in East Tennessee where electric vehicle charging stations are expected to be built is available below.
- Clinton
- Kingston
- Crab Orchard
- Crossville
- Newport
- Greeneville
- Niota
- Johnson City
Charging stations are already available in West Knoxville, West Knox County, Kodak, White Pine, Cookeville and Chattanooga.
The charging stations may vary by type. Some will be Tesla charging stations and some may be Pilot stations, as well as other brands. Award recipients include Love's Travel Stops and Country tores, BP, Universal EV LLC and Pilot.
The charging stations are expected to be built at existing gas stations, at restaurants and at other sites.