
There is a LOT of electric vehicle work going on in Tennessee! And while Drive Electric TN has jumpstarted some new initiatives and projects, there are many fleets and related projects that started years ago or that are brand new and on-going. This page catalogs the a) fleets that have various kinds of EVs at work, and b) projects of one type or another that are addressing issues or working to put EVs in front of Tennesseans. Read on…
- CARTA - Chattanooga Area Regional Transit Authority
- Fleet of 15-20 all-electric shuttles used in downtown Chattanooga since 1993
- New BYD electric bus use started in 2018, continues to expand
- WeGo - Nashville MTASmall fleet of all-electric city buses
- KAT - Knoxville Area TransitSmall fleet of all-electric buses to start service in 2021 (New Flyer)
- MATA - Memphis Area Transit AuthoritySmall fleet of electric buses to start service in 2021
- City of NashvilleFleet of Nissan Leafs through internal carshare program
- City of KingsportSmall fleet of Nissan Leafs – first fleet in U.S. to have a police Leaf
- City of KnoxvilleSmall fleet of Nissan Leafs in city carpool
- Harrison Bay Golf CourseOnly golf course in Tennessee to have electric fairway and green mowers
- All state-owned Golf CoursesAll of Tennessee’s state-owned golf courses uses all-electric golf carts (over 600 in all)
- KUB - knoxville utilities board
- Fleet of plug-in hybrid bucket trucks
- Several light-duty EVs
- EPB - electric power board (Chattanooga)small fleet of Nissan Leafs
Specific Fleets… More Information
Chattanooga Area Regional Transit Authority – CARTA
- Mass transit bus set #1 – Three, BYD 35′ K-9 all-electric buses – Obtained in late 2018 and operate on a variety of routes around Chattanooga. Have multiple-connector, low-voltage charging for each bus at their garage and buses refuel during evenings and occasionally during the day.
- Mass transit bus set #2 – Four – (details coming)
Appalachian Teaching Project – University of Tennessee
- 2021-22 – “Charge-Up Appalachia: Strategies to improve Electric Vehicles along
Tennessee’s ADHS Corridors“ -For two decades, the University of Tennessee has participated in the Appalachian Teaching Project (ATP), a program sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Every year, ATP students conduct a class research and engagement project to help Appalachian communities address a local need or issue. UT is one of 15 Appalachian colleges and universities participating in the ATP this year. In early December, ATP students from all participating institutions will meet in Washington to present their research before the staff and leadership of the ARC. UT’s ATP class is taught by Dr. Tim Ezzell, an Assistant Research professor with a joint appointment at the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment and the UT Political Science Department.This year’s UT ATP class will assess EV infrastructure along Tennessee highway corridors that are part of the ARC’s Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS). They will also develop an EV infrastructure plan for at least one of the state’s ADHS corridors. This plan will include criteria for charger placement and possible locations. As part of the planning process, students will conduct field research in electric vehicles and meet with local stakeholders. Students will also survey residents along Tennessee corridors to help assess awareness of EVs.
Some links:
ARC’s ATP webpage: https://www.arc.gov/appalachian-teaching-project/
ETSU’s ATP webpage: https://www.etsu.edu/cas/cass/projects/