Alabama revving up EV charging station expansion

Alabama is spending millions of dollars to expand its charging station infrastructure – a move that officials say not only supports the needs of electric vehicle owners but also the growing EV automotive industry in the state.

“We are invested in the automotive industry here in the state of Alabama, 45,000 workers all throughout the state,” said Kenneth Boswell, director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the organization Gov. Kay Ivey has tasked with building out the state’s EV infrastructure. “We want to make sure that we do everything to solidify those jobs.”

Both Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama have introduced electric vehicles to their Alabama assembly lines. Mercedes also produces EV batteries at a separate plant in Bibb County.

Boswell said the availability of EV charging stations is important to EV owners in Alabama and those traveling through the state.

“We also want to reduce that range anxiety for that person that chooses EV as an option,” he said.

Since 2020, ADECA has awarded 44 grants for EV charging stations. Thirty of those stations are operational.

Leeds, Montgomery and Phenix City each have two. Cities with one include Bessemer, Birmingham, Boligee, Cullman, Decatur, Dothan, Enterprise, Fairhope, Fort Payne, Geneva, Guin, Guntersville, Hartselle, Headland, Helena, Hoover, LaFayette, Moody, Oxford, Robertsdale, Scottsboro, Sylacauga, Tuscaloosa and Wedowee.

On July 1, Ivey and ADECA announced 14 projects totaling $11.2 million in the first round of the state’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. Thirteen of these NEVI projects are for fast-charging stations along major travel corridors.

Cities getting NEVI chargers are Atmore, Clanton, Cottondale, Eutaw, Evergreen, Falkville, Fort Deposit, Gadsden, Hamilton, Heflin, Irvington and Montgomery. Jasper is getting two.

The Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition and Alabama Power have aided ADECA in identifying corridors and locations as part of a larger Alabama Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan.

More and more private developers are adding EV chargers to projects such as large gas stations and shopping centers. Mercedes and other companies have announced plans to create charge networks.

Alabama is also believed to be the only state using the NEVI program to support a workforce that is properly trained to install, operate and maintain EV charging infrastructure.

Boswell recognizes that Alabamians have been slow to adopt EVs for a variety of reasons. However, that’s not slowing automakers in Alabama and elsewhere from heading in that direction.

“All of us are different,” he said. “All of us look and view things differently, but with the automotive industry heading in that direction, we need to do everything we can to support it.”

Drive Electric Alabama and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association are presenting the Alabama EV Summit Aug. 14-15 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex that will feature presentations from manufacturers, owners and officials helping to grow electric transportation in the state.