Knoxville
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Published on January 17, 2025
Knoxville Becomes First Tennessee City to Join DOE's Charging Smart EV ProgramSource: Google Street View

Knoxville is charging ahead with its electric vehicle (EV) initiatives, being the first city in Tennessee to join the Department of Energy's Charging Smart program. The program is designed to aid local governments in overcoming common hurdles related to electric vehicle usage, propelling communities toward an eco-friendly future. Through this partnership, Knoxville will receive complimentary policy and technical assistance, albeit not direct financial aid, for installing new chargers.

This move is consistent with the city's broader push to promote electric vehicles as part of its commitment to sustainability and better air quality standards. Despite no direct funding for physical infrastructure from the program itself, Knoxville can leverage its membership in Charging Smart to apply for various funding types, potentially unlocking new avenues for financial support for EV infrastructure development. Knoxnews reports that local governments involved can earn designations ranging from bronze to gold based on their advancements in EV support infrastructure.

Knoxville currently boasts 40 public EV chargers, with plans to install an additional 30 in the City-County Building's garage. These chargers will serve the public and bolster the city's commitment to electrifying its vehicle fleet, including those used by various city departments such as fleet administration, inspections, engineering, fire, police, and public service. Mayor Indya Kincannon voiced the city's ambitions, saying, “The City of Knoxville invests in EV chargers to achieve our sustainability and air quality goals as well as to support infrastructure for residents and visitors who drive electric vehicles,” WVLT reports. The mayor concluded that the city's membership in Charging Smart will further their implementation of EV technology and inspire more individuals to adopt electric vehicles.

Furthermore, transportation is a notable contributor to municipal emissions, accounting for 59 percent of the total in Knoxville. Nick Bradshaw, the city's fleet services director, commented on this key environmental issue: “Because transportation represents 59 percent of community emissions, the City is motivated to diversify our vehicle fleet and ensure we’re using lower-carbon fuels as much as possible,”. He shared this insight during an interview with WATE. This dedication to addressing environmental impact through the transportation sector is a cornerstone of Knoxville's strategy for a sustained push towards greener, cleaner mobility options.