Alabama officials expand electric vehicle infrastructure plan
Electric vehicles power up at a UAB charging station. Alabama has updated its statewide plan to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (Charlestan Helton / Alabama NewsCenter)
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs has unveiled an updated statewide plan to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
The plan builds on an earlier plan designed to guide the use of state and federal funds in broadening the availability of fast-charging stations along Alabama’s major travel corridors. The updated plan expands the scope of ADECA’s previous EV plan, which was completed in 2020.
The Alabama Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan is posted on ADECA’s website.
“As more automotive manufacturers, including many of those here in Alabama, continue to announce significant investments in electric vehicles, we must continue to take steps to ensure that motorists have a place to recharge their vehicles on the road,” Gov. Kay Ivey said. “This plan will serve a valuable purpose to guide the state’s efforts to support Alabamians’ choice to adopt electric vehicles by planning for appropriate infrastructure both now and into the future.”
The plan was completed with the assistance of the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and an advisory group that included input from several key state agencies; utility providers, including Alabama Power; and industry associations.
“Charging infrastructure is a key need as more and more electric vehicles travel Alabama’s interstates, highways and roads,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “The plan helps target the travel corridors that will most benefit from the placement of electric vehicle charging stations and will help focus our efforts with future grants.”
The plan is the latest step in the state’s involvement with EVs. In 2021, Ivey awarded 18 grants totaling more than $4 million to expand EV charging infrastructure. This year, ADECA is preparing to award an additional $2 million in state grants for EV charging. Additional funding from the recently approved federal infrastructure package is expected to support EV chargers in Alabama.
Last November, Ivey and ADECA launched the Drive Electric Alabama initiative. The statewide effort aims at engaging Alabamians and raising awareness about the advantages of electric vehicles. Learn more at www.driveelectricalabama.gov.
Cedric Daniels, Electric Transportation manager for Alabama Power, said the company actively participated in the advisory group that assisted the state in formulating its plan. He said Alabama officials have been proactive in creating the plan to guide installation of EV infrastructure.
“Alabama Power will continue to help lead Alabama’s statewide campaign to ‘Drive Electric Alabama,’” Daniels said.
To learn more about Alabama Power’s involvement in electric transportation, including a discounted rate available to customers with plug-in electric vehicles, click here.
