Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants to three cities for electric vehicle charging stations. The grants are worth close to a grand total of $1 million.

“As the automotive industry, including manufacturers who call Alabama home, shift production toward electric vehicles, Alabama has made strides in supporting increased charging stations along our travel corridors,” Ivey said.

“We will continue that progress as more vehicles, including many produced here in Alabama, are powered by electricity.”

ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell, whose department is distributing the funds, noted that the new charging stations will help not only EV owners but also the state’s economy.

“Having plentiful and conveniently located electric vehicle charging stations ensures that those who choose to own electric vehicles will know they have places to recharge their vehicles,” Boswell said.

“It also creates benefits in commerce by giving EV owners who are traveling longer distances a place to recharge their vehicles and grab a bite to eat or explore a community while traveling.”

The cities receiving the funds are:

• Smiths Station – $621,232 to Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores to install a charging station at a Love’s location at 747 Lee County Road 248 (near U.S. 280). Love’s is supplying a $155,308 match.
• Phenix City – $240,596 to CatCard LLC to install two charging stations at Burger King, 1820 Stadium Drive. CatCard is providing a $106,866 match.
• Gadsden – $77,818 to Ira Phillips Inc. to install three charging stations at the Venue at Coosa Landing Event Center, 201 George Wallace Drive. The company is supplying a match of $41,940.

The funding was partially made available through the state’s portion of the nationwide Volkswagen settlement plan. The settlement occurred after a court ruled the automotive manufacturer violated the federal Clean Air Act.

Ivey has also recently awarded $8.2 million from state and VW settlement funds to support chargers at 44 other locations.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.

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