NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has released its second solicitation for Light Duty Zero Emission Vehicle Supply Equipment projects under the Fast Charge TN Network grant program.

Funds are available for local power companies, for-profit or non-profit organizations, and government entities, including local governments or public institutions of higher education based in Tennessee.

TDEC and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) initially partnered in 2021 to develop a statewide electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging network designed to power the growth of EVs across Tennessee and reduce barriers to transportation electrification, leveraging various funding sources.

This solicitation is funded through the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust (EMT), from settlements resolving allegations that Volkswagen violated clean air standards in sales of vehicles in model years 2009-2016. The purpose of the trust is to execute environmental mitigation projects that reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides. Under the current solicitation, $2.8 million in EMT funding is available for eligible projects.

Projects implemented under this solicitation will support the continued development of the Fast Charge TN Network, building out direct current fast charging infrastructure at least every 50 miles along prioritized corridors. Following the first round of solicitation, 35 Fast Charge TN Network sites are now live and operational, and 18 sites are currently under development, but charging infrastructure gaps remain.

The Fast Charge TN Network program is managed by TDEC’s Office of Energy Programs and is intended to complement the State’s implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Grant Program, which seeks to build fast charging EV infrastructure along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. The national program is administered in the state by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

To avoid duplicative efforts, the prioritized areas for buildout under this second round of funding are areas that TDOT, TDEC, and TVA anticipate the State’s NEVI program will not address in Alternative Fuel Corridor buildout.

Applicants must commit to owning, operating, and maintaining grant-funded EV fast-charging infrastructure for at least five years following equipment procurement, delivery, installation, and commissioning. The charging infrastructure must be publicly accessible 24/7, 365 days of the year and located within identified infrastructure gap areas.

Priority will be given to locations within designated infrastructure gap zones as defined in the interactive infrastructure gap areas map. However, these areas are subject to change prior to final award announcements. More information on eligibility considerations and application requirements may be accessed in the application manual.

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted electronically via the TDEC online grants management system available at tdec.smartsimple.com.

Applications must be received by Sept. 12 at 4 p.m. CDT. TDEC will announce awards after conducting a comprehensive review and evaluation of all complete and eligible grant applications. Grant contracting efforts will occur shortly thereafter.

TDEC will host a mandatory application workshop webinar on July 14 from 1-3 p.m. CDT. Registration can be accessed online. The workshop will be recorded and posted on the TDEC website for applicant reference.

Applicants will be required to attend the virtual application workshop prior to application submission, either by participating during the initial webinar session or viewing the recording. The application workshop will provide guidance on the application process and program terms and conditions, including project eligibility, timelines for implementation, and reporting requirements.

Interested individuals and organizations are advised to sign up for the TDEC VW Settlement email list to be kept apprised of all future and related announcements.

For additional information on the Fast Charge TN Network, visit tn.gov/EVfastcharge. For more information on TVA’s EV programming, visit energyright.com/ev/.

For more information on the VW Settlement, visit the TDEC website at tn.gov/environment/VWSettlement.