Tennessee is moving forward with state-level grant programs for President Donald Trump’s administration to build new electric vehicle chargers on state interstate and major highways Block similar spending From federal funding.

The state will be asking for applications this spring for second round of grant funds. Fast Charging TN Network Grant Program. The $24 million program is looking to add around 65 new fast charging locations to fill the gap between the Tennessee Interstate and the infrastructure along the highway.

The Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation and the Tennessee Valley Department created the program in 2021, funding a network of fast charging stations at least every 50 miles along the state’s major arteries. The grant is funded by $7.5 million from Tennessee’s cuts Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trustelectricity revenue from TVA, and cost share from grant recipients.

Jennifer Donnarus, senior communications advisor to TDEC, said in an email that the Fast Billing TN program will not be affected by the Trump administration’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI). The $5 billion Biden-ERA program supports EV charger installation.Alternative Fuel Corridor“Nationwide.

State and federal programs “have complementary goals,” Donalds said. Roads covered by the Nevi program include double-digit interstate highways in Tennessee and a majority of the US 64.

Tennessee EVS: There’s a lot of uncertainty as Trump targets Biden-era electric vehicle funding

“The second round of Fast Charge TN is aimed at funding projects along a prioritized corridor that Nevi Funds cannot address with the aim of avoiding overlapping efforts and funding,” Donnals said. It’s there.

According to a TDEC release released on February 3, establishing a statewide fast charging network will “improve transportation efficiency, reduce vehicle emissions, promote EV adoption, and transport networks.” It will strengthen the resilience of the product.”

According to Donnals, about 50 projects have been completed or are under development in the first round of Fast Charge Tn’s fundraising. The second final funding round completes the program’s build.

The electric vehicle manufacturing industry in Tennessee has it It’s grown significantly It is expected to be created over the past decade Thousands of jobsespecially in rural communities. Funding changes under the Trump administration It sparked uncertainty About the future of the industry.

How about Nevi?

Earlier in his second term, Trump’s administration took steps to halt funding for Biden-era Clean Energy Initiatives, based on the bipartisan infrastructure and inflation reduction laws.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program has allocated $88 million to Tennessee to fund the installation of electric vehicle chargers along major corridors over five years. Published by the US Federal Highways Agency Note On Thursday, Nevi’s spending was put on hold and revoked pre-approval from the agency of the program’s state planning.

“Therefore, there will be no new obligations under the NEVI Formula Programme until an updated final NEVI Formula Program guidance is issued immediately and new state plans are submitted and approved,” the memo said. It states.

New spending is blocked, but the state could reimburse existing obligations “to avoid disrupting current financial commitments,” the memo said. New guidance is expected this spring.

Trump previously indicated that he would suspend Nebby spending in executive orders when he took office.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation Oversees and is awarded the Tennessee program. $21 million Installed on 10 applicants in January 2024 30 new charging locations. TDOT is awarding federal funds, but the contracting process is ongoing, TDOT Community Relations Director Beth Emmons wrote in January in an email. Emmons said he believes the federal government’s decision on the fate of funding the program will be known when it is ready to enter into an official contract.