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CHARGING STATIONS COMING TO STATE PARKS
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
announced this week it is partnering with electric vehicle automaker and
automotive technology company Rivian to install Rivian Waypoint EV
charging stations at Tennessee State Parks.
The goal is to have charging stations available at all 56 state parks
systemwide, depending on the availability of electricity and planned
future park upgrades.
“Tennessee is at the forefront of innovation and infrastructure
development, and we're committed to the future of the automotive
industry,” Governor Bill Lee said. “This collaboration will support
Tennessee jobs and enhance our already unmatched state parks.”
“As Tennesseans increasingly rely on electric vehicles, our state parks
can play a significant role to enable recreation in all corners of our
state,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “TDEC is committed to
clean air, and the shift toward electric vehicles is an excellent step
forward for air quality.”
“Tennessee’s State Parks will be home to some of our very first Rivian
Waypoints and at the forefront of our plan to provide accessible EV
charging to those adventuring in America’s most beautifully preserved
environments,” Matt Horton, executive vice president of Energy and
Charging Solutions at Rivian, said.
Rivian will oversee the design and installation of the Level 2 chargers,
which are compatible with all EV models currently on the road. The
open-network chargers can provide up to 11.5 kilowatts of power,
enabling EV drivers to top up on miles while enjoying a day trip or an
overnight campout. EV charging at Tennessee State Parks will initially
be free and drivers will be able to easily monitor their vehicle’s
charging session via the Rivian app. Any potential future cost to
drivers may be dependent on systemwide utilization to recover
electricity costs.
Under the estimated timeline, Rivian will begin site surveys and
engineering over the summer, with installation beginning as early as
fall 2021 and stretching into March 2022.
“We are very excited for this partnership, and for TDEC and Tennessee
State Parks’ commitment to sustainable travel, ensuring residents and
visitors enjoy the state for generations to come,” Mark Ezell,
commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, said.
“Tennessee offers unsurpassed natural beauty, and we’re thrilled this
project will bring visitors to state parks, rural communities and
cities.”
Founded in 2009, Rivian has development centers in the United States,
Canada, and England, including a 3.3-million-square-foot manufacturing
plant in Normal, Ill. More information is available at rivian.com.
The agreement with Rivian is the latest development stemming from TDEC’s
commitment to power the growth of EVs across Tennessee and reduce
barriers to transportation electrification. Earlier this year, TDEC and
the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced a partnership to develop
a statewide EV charging network that will provide fast-charging stations
every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates and highways. The
initiative is designed to add approximately 50 new fast-charging
locations throughout the state.
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