TDEC announces grants for Fast Charge TN network

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced that 12 entities will receive $5.2 million in total grant funding to install direct current fast charging (DCFC) infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) along prioritized interstate or major highway corridors across the state.

The 12 projects will install 32 total charging units at 13 sites. The program is part of a partnership between TDEC and TVA to develop a statewide EV fast-charging network along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways to power the growth of EVs across the state.

Selected grantees include:

• City of Athens
• Memphis Light, Gas and Water
• BrightRidge (Johnson City)
• Paris Utility Authority
• Brownsville Energy Authority
• Sequatchie Valley Electric Cooperative
• Columbia Power and Water Systems
• Smithville Electric System
• City of Dayton
• City of Springfield
• EPB of Chattanooga
• Tullahoma Utilities Authority

In addition to the projects listed above, TVA anticipates funding 21 projects in Tennessee, which will include the installation of 56 total charging units at 27 sites. This investment is part of TVA’s broader Fast Charge Network that aims to reduce barriers to EV adoption by deploying fast chargers at least every 50 miles along the interstates and major highways across its 7-state service territory by 2026.

The competitive grant program comprises the state’s fourth solicitation for projects under the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW Settlement EMT). TDEC is the lead agency for administering the state’s VW Settlement EMT allocation. Earlier this month, the State updated its BMP to reallocate funding from eligible Environmental Mitigation Action (EMA) subcategories to the Corridor Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) Infrastructure (Fast Charge TN Network) subcategory, increasing the funds made available to Corridor DCFC Infrastructure to $5,200,000 and retaining $977,588.45 for other eligible EMA subcategories. This change does not affect the funding amounts reserved for other EMA categories selected under the BMP. This Update 4 BMP is the most recent plan available and includes information on modifications made in Appendix 8. 

The purpose of the EMT is to execute environmental mitigation projects that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The funded charging infrastructure will install 10 chargers at three sites in former nonattainment areas for ozone and/or fine particulates (PM2.5) under National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The program will complement the state’s allocated funds under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The NEVI Formula Program aims to build fast charging infrastructure along federally designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, which in Tennessee includes all of the two-digit interstate highways and the majority of U.S.-64.

Visit the TDEC website for additional information on the VW Settlement. The department will share announcements on future funding programs under the EMT; those interested are invited to sign up for the TDEC VW email list.