DE Upper Cumberland (DEUC) Info
Area: The upper-middle section of Tennessee that abuts Kentucky and is centered in Cookeville.
Counties covered: Macon, Smith, DeKalb, Cannon, Warren, Van Buren, White, Putnam, Jackson, Clay, Pickett, Overton, Fentress, Cumberland
Story: In 2019, a DOE-funded project was begun that Tennessee Technological University created and won called “Developing an EV Demonstration Testbed in the Upper Cumberland (UC) Region of Tennessee.” Dr. Pingen Chen started that project, and it led into the kickoff of the Upper Cumberland Chapter. In 2022, Silas Stoddart of the Rural Planning Organization located in the Upper Cumberland Development District decided to join and help as a communications and event leader, but he left in latter 2022 and new UCDD partner Jenna McKenzie joined in the effort.
Past event media links:
DEUC Chapter Members
Co-chair - Jenna McKenzieCenter Hill RPO Coordinator, Upper Cumberland Development District
Co-chair - Dr. Pingen ChenAssistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University
- EV DRIVERS
Mike Allen – Mini Cooper SE
Dr. Pingen Chen – Mustang Mach-E
Evan Dake – Tesla Model 3
Gerald Gannon – Tesla Model 3
Mike Gotcher – Nissan Leaf
Will Hoffert – BMW i3
Linda Lee – Tesla Model 3
DeLayne Miller – Nissan Leaf
Joey Other – Nissan Leaf
UCHRA-PT – E450 all-electric shuttle
- ORGANIZATIONAL & OTHER PARTNERS
Tennessee Technological University
Upper Cumberland Development District
UCHRA Public Transportation
Through a partnership with Tennessee Tech., the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency’s Public Transportation division, under the leadership of Directors Becky Harris (former) and Holly Montooth (current), acquired an E450 all-electric shuttle from Phoenix Motorcars. The shuttle is starting operations spring 2023 serving the TTU campus, and once proven to run the route without complications and getting the needed mileage, they will expand its service to the broader area, potentially using it for service in nearby counties as well.
