Kentucky Receives Federal Approval For EV Charging Network

Over the last two years, the production of electric vehicles has gained viable traction as a part of Kentucky’s economic profile.

That bios gained even more ground Thursday afternoon, when Governor Andy Beshear announced that the Commonwealth has received federal approval to develop what amounts to a $70 million charging network in the state.

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet “Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment” Plan, nearly 3,600 battery electric vehicles are registered in the Commonwealth. That’s only 0.11% of the 3.3 million light-duty vehicles currently registered in Kentucky. By 2035, forecasts indicate that battery electric vehicle sales will reach 30% market share, with more than 11% of the state’s registered vehicles being electric in nature.

Among KYTC’s concerns for EV include:
+ A lack of charging infrastructure
+ Range anxiety for longer trips
+ Longer recharge times
+ Limited utility infrastructure
+ Utility demand charges
+ Infrastructure gaps in underserved/rural areas
+ Regulatory framework from county to county

Other issues could also be hurdles: particularly in regard to developing reliable first-response vehicles, adaptable heavy machinery, and the likely higher costs for new technologies.

But officials are trying to quell these concerns with research and development. This 100-page “Deployment Plan” was submitted to the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation in late July, and was approved — securing these federal “National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure” formula program funds.

With matching funds, a total of $86.9 million will be available for EV charging infrastructure over the next five years.

KYTC Secretary Jim Gray said the goal is to have a statewide network of EV chargers by 2025, with $25 million in federal funds arriving before the end of this fiscal year.

Already the country’s leader per capita producer of cars, light trucks and SUVs, Kentucky and its economic officials have poised themselves for the next stage of energy. Ford Motor Company, SK Innovation and Envision AESC have already turned to the Commonwealth for the location of two battery manufacturing plants along I-65 — creating more than 7,000 jobs and an $8 billion investment.

To support this nucleus, other valence electrons have joined this budding grid, including:

— Quadrant Magnetics and Piston Automotive in Jefferson County
— Hitachi Automotive Electric Motor Systems America in Madison County
— Firestone Industrial Products in Whitley County
— Ascend Elements and Martinrea Hopkinsville in Christian County
— LOTTE Aluminum and Advanced Nano Products in Hardin County
— Arkema in Marshall County
— Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown

These EV-related projects total over $9.2 billion in new investment, with more than 8,500 full-time jobs.

Also this past July, the Federal Highway Administration approved Kentucky’s plan for its “alternative fuel corridors.” All of the Commonwealth’s 11 interstates and eight parkways were hence designated as EV AFC’s, which by federal guidelines requires fast-charging stations be located no more than 50 miles apart and not more than one mile off the corridor.

Each charging station must have no less than four ports at 150-kilowatts per port.