TDEC, Electric Transportation Partners Release Updated Roadmap for Electric Vehicles in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs (OEP), with partners in the Drive Electric Tennessee (DET) statewide collaborative, has released an updated strategy to guide Tennessee’s electric transportation future.

The 2026 Roadmap for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Tennessee builds on progress since the initial strategy was implemented in 2019, incorporating updated industry data and lessons learned in project implementation to clarify priorities and guide action across Tennessee over the next 10 years.

The Roadmap includes new and expanded goals for transportation electrification, including a goal to support the deployment of 750,000 light-duty EVs in Tennessee by 2035. The Roadmap not only considers light-duty electrification but also addresses goals and activities for other areas of interest, including medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification; infrastructure deployment; and emerging technologies (such as second-life battery use, battery recycling, bi-directional charging, and smart charge management technologies).

Change in Tennessee’s EV landscape has been driven by growing consumer interest; significant manufacturing investment; increased availability of charging infrastructure; and opportunities through federal, state, utility, and local EV programs.

In the years since the original Roadmap’s publication, DET and its partners have completed more than 40 EV-related projects, ranging from assessing charging infrastructure needs for the state and connecting fleet operators with EV offerings to hosting EV demonstrations and developing best practices for local policy.

Tennessee plays an increasingly important role in the national EV ecosystem. The state’s strong automotive manufacturing base and EV supply chain position Tennessee to capture economic benefits associated with transportation electrification, including job creation and private investment.

At the same time, EV adoption creates opportunities to reduce transportation costs for households and fleets, improve air quality, and enhance energy independence by utilizing locally produced electricity as a transportation fuel.

The 2026 Roadmap is designed to guide collaborative action that supports continued EV growth. DET encourages involvement among partners and the public through DET membership or direct participation in its working groups and local DET chapters. While the Roadmap provides a long-term framework for priorities surrounding Tennessee’s EV adoption, the identification and completion of work is a dynamic, ongoing effort.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the transportation sector is the largest energy-consuming end-use sector in Tennessee, representing 46.1 percent of Tennessee’s total energy consumption in 2023 (most recent data available). To address this critical energy sector, TDEC OEP promotes and educates Tennessee citizens regarding how alternative fuels, advanced vehicle technologies, and sustainable transportation options reduce energy costs within and increase the energy efficiency of the transportation sector; enhance resiliency and emergency preparedness through diversification of available fuels; and promote economic growth with improved environmental quality.

For additional information on transportation electrification in Tennessee, visit the TDEC Energy website.

Drive Electric Tennessee (DET) is a consortium of state agencies, utilities, local governments, universities, research institutions, EV manufacturers, businesses, and advocacy groups. View additional information on Drive Electric Tennessee.