TN Electric Vehicle Plan

FHWA-designated Corridor-Ready (green) and Corridor-Pending (orange) Alternative Fuel Corridors in Tennessee.

Below are some of the FAQs we have received during our in-person public outreach sessions. The NEVI plan for Tennessee is still under development. At this time, all interested parties and stakeholders are encouraged to provide their feedback through the online survey which will remain open until May 31st. 

Who is eligible to apply for a charging station?
NEVI applications will be open to any entity in Tennessee with a location within one mile of an alternative fuel corridor. Local governments, local power companies, convenience store operators, and any other interested entities may apply. We also welcome feedback from stakeholders and members of the public to determine if any limits or exceptions should be made. The State can request an exception from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for locations farther than one mile; however, there is no guarantee that the FHWA will grant the request. 

How will applicants be ranked? 
The ranking of applicants has not yet been finalized for the NEVI plan. However, priority may be given to applicants in locations that are farthest from a current charging station and those that will provide service to disadvantaged communities. Information gathered from the online survey will inform how applicants will be ranked.

Will matching funds be required for awarded projects?
Yes, grantees will provide a 20% match for NEVI projects.

Who will own and operate the charging stations?
Charging stations under the NEVI program will not be owned or operated by the State. Grantees will be required to own or lease the charging stations for a certain period following completion of the project. The exact length of the ownership period has not yet been finalized by the federal government; however, similar programs have required a five-year ownership period. Operation of the charging stations can be completed by a separate entity under contract. 

With initial projects being within one mile of an alternative fuel corridor, will rural areas be left out?
Sites farther than a mile from an alternative fuel corridor could potentially be funded by the NEVI program if granted an exception from the Federal Highway Administration. Additional funding was authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act / Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for areas that are not near alternative fuel corridors. These funds are expected to be open following the approval of state NEVI plans in late 2022.

Could charging stations be placed at rest areas along the interstate?
Federal law prohibits the sale of motor fuel in the federal right-of-way, which prevents charging stations from being places at rest areas. While some existing locations in the United States are grandfathered in, new sites will not be eligible at this time.

Are communities outside of the Tennessee Valley Authority service are eligible?
Yes, any location near an alternative fuel corridor in the state of Tennessee is eligible for NEVI funding, regardless of power provider.

How will payment work at these charging stations?
Payment requirements under the NEVI program have not yet been developed. However, similar programs in Tennessee have required more than one payment method with a 24/7 phoneline for payment. To provide input on payment methods and options, please complete the online survey. 

Will awardees be required to maintain their charging stations?
To prevent charging stations from falling into disrepair, grantees will be required to maintain their stations for a certain period. For similar programs in Tennessee, this period is five years. However, we welcome feedback through our online survey on any maintenance requirements or periods that should be required.

Does the Justice40 Initiative mean that 40% of charging stations will be in disadvantaged areas?
As part of the federal Justice40 Initiative, 40% of NEVI charging stations must benefit disadvantaged communities. This means that charging stations that serve or benefit disadvantaged communities but are not located in these areas will still count toward the Justice40 Initiative. Learn more about the national Justice40 Initiative or the map of identified areas via the Justice40 Electric Vehicle Charging Map. 

Can charging stations be placed at multi-family dwellings?
NEVI funds cannot fund charging stations at multi-family dwellings for the purpose of resident-only charging.  Unless a multi-family dwelling were to meet all of the site location requirements under the NEVI program (e.g., available to the public) it will not be considered as an eligible site.  It is anticipated that additional funding will be released by the federal government that may allow for charging stations to be placed at multi-family units for the purposes of public charging and/or resident charging. Additionally, a future round of VW Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust funding may address multi-family charging.

How accessible will the charging stations be to those with disabilities?
There are currently no Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for charging stations. For the Fast Charge TN Program, design standards were created to allow for wheelchair accessibility and ease of use. See the full program guidelines here. We welcome feedback on what accessibility standards should be implemented into the NEVI program.

Will charging stations be equipped to charge industrial and commercial vehicles?
Standards have not yet been finalized for the charging stations but could be designed in such a way to accommodate industrial and commercial vehicles. Feedback from stakeholders and the online survey will be used to develop standards. 

Will proprietary charging stations be allowed under the NEVI program?
Proprietary charging stations (i.e., charging stations that can only be utilized by a certain vehicle “make”) will not be funded under the NEVI program. However, NEVI funding could fund CCS charging stations at existing proprietary sites, provided such sites meet all necessary criteria.

What safety considerations have been made for these sites?
As with all aspects of Tennessee’s NEVI plan, we welcome feedback on any safety considerations that should be required under the NEVI program such as lighting, proximity to businesses and other establishments, or cellular reception. For the Fast Charge TN Program, site guidelines includes safety considerations including 24/7 public access with safety features including ample lighting, on-site personnel, and reliable cellular access. See the full program guidance here.  

Can there be more than one charging station site per fifty miles?
Yes, one charging station site per fifty miles on alternative fuel corridors is the minimum requirement under NEVI guidelines. While charging stations can be located closer together, priority will likely be given to potential sites that are farther from existing charging stations.