
There's a surge going electric in Jacksonville, as the city, along with JEA and Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), has snagged a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to supercharge their electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This federal funding is a part of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program, itself a piece of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and is set to dot Jacksonville with an additional 100 EV chargers. The move represents a significant upswing—a 62.5% jump—in the city's current network and promises a cleaner ride for residents and students alike.
The chargers will be spread across public spaces and educational campuses, with 6 FSCJ sites and 4 City of Jacksonville public locations joining the fray. They're aiming to drive down the region's greenhouse gas emissions, which largely stem from transportation — accounting for around 40% of Northeast Florida's output, as mentioned in the city's press release. Every charger plugged in is a step toward a sustainable shift. "This project is about more than just installing chargers—it’s about leading on the technologies that will drive our future and make clean, sustainable transportation accessible to everyone," Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan told the city of Jacksonville's website. The grand plan is hinged on reducing carbon emissions and granting all of Jacksonville's residents, without discriminating by neighborhood, access to a cleaner city.
With electric car numbers ramping up — over 13,000 plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are now cruising on Duval County's roads — the need for more EV chargers is hitting home. The Duval County Phase 1 EV Charging Initiative is stepping up to keep the pedal on the metal, ensuring no barriers block the city's EV adoption race. In-kind support from JEA will link up the initiative with necessary utility chops, like connections, materials, and transformers, in line with their sustainability vows. JEA CEO and Managing Director Vickie Cavey says, "Current EV drivers will benefit, and this will help increase EV adoption in Jacksonville.
The plan is also set to brew job opportunities, with FSCJ offering workforce development pathways, and lining up residents with training and apprenticeship programs in the green energy sector. Dr. John Avendano, President of FSCJ, expressed anticipation for the initiative in a statement found on their website, saying the collaboration with the city and JEA on this project is a testament to their shared goals. The three-year implementation agenda will include site preparation, charger installation, and reaching out to the community, to expand sustainable transportation access, especially in disadvantaged communities, while pushing for the region's climate action goals.
Props were also given to those shaping the grant's success, including Miller Electric Company, Edward Waters University, and Feeding Northeast Florida, among others, who shared their expertise during the application process. The collective effort is unlocking the pathway to a network of EV chargers, set to curb range anxiety and pump up EV adoption community-wide. "Their expertise has been essential in securing this grant, which will expand access to EV chargers, reduce range anxiety and increase EV adoption within our community," Ashantae Green, City of Jacksonville Sustainability Manager, said, underscoring the importance of the collaborative spirit.