On June 10th, Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) announced 18 awards worth $4.1 million to support the installation of new electric vehicle charging stations.
“We have begun the journey of transforming vehicles operated by fossil fuels into those powered by electricity, and it’s important that motorists be able to charge their vehicles when traveling along the interstate and other major highways in Alabama” Gov. Ivey said. “Many of the vehicles manufactured right here in Alabama plants have already begun this transition, and it is exciting to come onboard with these projects to support these vehicles as they become more readily available and more Alabamians choose to drive them.”
ADECA’s Energy Division selected the grant winners through a competitive process, and will administer the grants. Key locations were prioritized based on the Alabama Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan, released by ADECA in July 2020, to maximize access to stations and connections to nearby population centers.
Funding for these projects came from the Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust and the Alabama Legislature, and are in-line with ADECA’s plan to administer Volkswagen Settlement Funds for the state of Alabama.
“This program will have a range of positive impacts in Alabama from creating cleaner air to helping to sell more vehicles manufactured right here in Alabama,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.