Looking Back at 2020, 76 and Counting Working Stakeholders,
TN State Agency's Collective Vision, Specialty License Plate Program, Four EV Statewide Educational Conferences for 2021 and the 30,000' National Vision.
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WOW! 2020 - What a year! 2021, We're driving forward!
The DriveElectricTN (DET) team looks back at 2020 with a mixture of awe and excitement. We recognize that the COVID-19 global pandemic rocked each and everyone one of us out of our "normal" lives where we quickly learned how to adapt to a new set of work and personal life circumstances. However, we managed to push through and get some fantastic work done.
This newsletter is dedicated to all of the folks who helped the DriveElectricTN (DET) team pull off some incredible work in 2020 while also taking a deep breath and collectively saying, "Whew! I'm glad that 2020 year is over and done with!"
Before we shake off 2020, we want to share some of DET's successes for the year which include showcasing and celebrating the work of 76+ stakeholders who carved out time in their personal and business lives to drive our statewide EV initiatives forward with passion and enthusiasm. We also want to recognize our core team - ETCleanFuels and DriveElectricTN, DET members and the Executive Committee whose financial and in-kind support made this statewide and national programming possible. We also appreciate everyone who serves in an advisory capacity, as well as those who "roll up their sleeves" with us to work seamlessly alongside our team since DET's program inception in 2018. Frankly, we couldn't have accomplished this much without you, and we look forward to continuing our work together in 2021.
So, what's the plan for 2021? We are quickly working towards continuing to advance our mutual statewide EV initiatives in Infrastructure, Awareness and Policies and Programs, through the DET Roadmap multi-year strategy. We also have other programs like the DET Specialty License plate campaign that will be released in May. Finally, we're developing other opportunities at local, state, regional and national levels where the work we accomplish in our state will positively impact others. Learn more about the work we've accomplished in 2020 to 2021 through this special edition, and come join the EV ride with us and see where we're driving to next!
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Virginia Salazar Buda, DriveElectricTN (DET) Coordinator |
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Be part of the conversation by becoming a DET member today! You can also engage with us on Facebook and Twitter. For more information and to see how you can be involved, please contact DET’s coordinator, Virginia Salazar Buda, at virginia@driveelectrictn.org. Thanks for being a part of DET!
Our DET vision is straightforward – together, we will advance the state of Tennessee as the electric transportation leader in the Southeast. We, along with the program's original stakeholders and many others, have ambitious plans to complete various initiatives and projects over the next several years in order to drive DET to meet its current and future goals.
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Jeff Lyash, TVA President & Chief Executive Officer |
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Giving Drivers Peace of Mind.
TVA and TDEC's Electric Vehicle Partnership
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Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Tennessee Department of Energy and Conservation (TDEC) are partnering to fund the development of a public fast charging infrastructure in Tennessee over the next five years. This will put a charging station every 50 miles along major roadways, giving drivers peace of mind that they can recharge quickly and easily when they are away from home. Video (2:44)
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A Collective State Agency Vision.
TDEC, TDOT and TNECD
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How Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) are working toward a collective vision for the future. Video (3:09)
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(L-R): Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner David Salyers and Subject Matter Expert Dave Hrivnak |
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"WHOA...this is like a rocket ship!" Take a Ride with TDEC Commissioner David Salyers
A DriveElectricTN Members Production
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Experience the personal excitement of driving an EV as TDEC Commissioner David Salyers test drives a Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt in Johnson City, TN. Video (3:55)
Join the EV Ride with Us and Become a DET Member Today!
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Co-Chairs:
Drew Frye, Tennessee Valley Authority
Brad Rains, Tennessee Valley Power Public Association, Inc.
The Infrastructure Opportunity Area working group was developed by Co-Chairs Drew Frye, TVA, and Brad Rains, Seven States Power Corporation. By May 2020, the co-chairs determined the scope of work that would be produced during the year and invited 23 professionals from 18 companies to be a part of the working team.
The goal of the Infrastructure team is developing an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure that enables Tennesseans to drive and charge an EV in their daily lives through home, workplace and public charging opportunities which also includes conversations about accessing electric public transit options.
This working group’s focal point follow three initiatives:
- EV Infrastructure Coordination and Planning
- EV Infrastructure Build-Out
- EV Infrastructure Standards and Maintenance
Three Projects:
This working group provided a meeting environment that encouraged collaboration, networking and speaking opportunities for their team members to discuss and learn, from each other, about high-level infrastructure activities.
- Site Host Guide, Atlas Policy
- Project: Maintenance Support
- Workplace Infrastructure Project
Who's on the Infrastructure Leadership Team and 2020-2021 Projects?
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Co-Chairs:
Shauna Basques, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Daniel Siksay, East TN Clean Fuels Coalition
The goal of the Awareness Opportunity Area working groups is to increase awareness and first-hand experience of the benefits of driving an EV and to prompt vehicle owners to be aware of these benefits when they begin their next purchasing process.
This Opportunity Area is focused on the following three initiatives:
- EV Ride and Drive Promotion
- Fleet Education
- EV Consumer Education
By May 2020, Basques and Siksay determined the scope of work that would be produced during the year and formed a working group, which is comprised of a total 25 professionals representing 21 public, non-profit and private organizations.
The Co-Chairs selected five projects from the DriveElectricTN (DET) Roadmap. A Project Leader was selected to manage their designated project and where members self-selected into their project of interest to produce the workload.
Five Projects 2020-2021
- EV Chapter Development - Jonathan Overly, Project Lead
- Educator Training Programs - Shauna Basques, Project Lead
- Digital EV Marketing - Daniel Siksay, Project Lead
- EV Station Signage - Eric Cardwell, Project Lead
- Fleet EV Case Studies - Virginia Salazar Buda, Project Lead
Who's on the Awareness Leadership Team and 2020-2021 Projects?
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Co-Chairs:
Alexa Voytek, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
Laurel Creech, Metro-Nashville Department of General Services
The Policies and Programs Opportunity Area working group was developed by Co-Chairs Alexa Voytek, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and Laurel Creech, Metro-Nashville Department of General Services.
The goal of the Policies and Programs working groups is to create consistent, innovative, and supportive policies across Tennessee at the state, county, city, and utility levels, inclusive of incentives, electricity rates, planning standards, and other policies and programs.
This Opportunity Area is focused on the following five initiatives:
• State Government Relations
• Standardized Local Policies
• Corporate Policies
• Coordinated Utility Programs
• EV / EVSE Incentives
By May 2020, Voytek and Creech determined the scope of work that would be produced during the year and formed a working group, which is comprised of 26 professionals representing over 23 public, non-profit and private organizations.
The Co-Chairs selected three projects from the DriveElectricTN (DET) Roadmap, listed below, and committees were developed for each initiative to complete the work. Over the course of the year, each committee met on a recurring basis to work through various action items and to provide a touchpoint for updates.
Three Projects:
- E-VIP / EV Tourism / Destination Charging - Alexa Voytek, Project Lead
- Local Action Playbook - Laurel Creech, Project Lead
- Workplace EV Policy Charging Guide - Mark Finlay, Project Lead
Who's on the Policies and Programs Leadership Team and 2020-2021 Projects!?
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DRIVE Electric USA:
Fourteen-state Collective Drives Statewide Electric Vehicle Programs
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Fourteen States combine efforts to "DRIVE Electric USA"
A partnership of U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Programs recently won over $1.8 million in DOE funding to significantly advance electric vehicle (EV) adoption in their states.
Read more
www.tncleanfuels.org
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Tennessee Strong:
Four DET EV Statewide "Driving EV Leadership" Educational Conferences Planned for 2021
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"Creating a successful, fun and informative half-day EV Educational Conference experience in Johnson City would help carve out a path for other cities and communities to follow," said DriveElectricTN Coordinator Virginia Salazar Buda. |
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(L-R): Virginia Salazar Buda, DriveElectricTN Coordinator; Jan Compton, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Regional Director of External Affairs (Johnson City Field Office); and TDEC Commissioner David W. Salyers, P.E.
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Four DriveElectricTN (DET) "Driving EV Leadership" half day educational conferences are scheduled for 2021 in the following cities: Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis.
One of DET’s engagement goals is reaching a variety of leaders and stakeholders which can further expand the network of participants, events and opportunities.
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NEW INITIATIVES
Special Thanks to DET's Awareness Opportunity Working Group for your work on this project!
DriveElectricTN Specialty License Plate
1,000 Commitments needed at $35 each. Coming in May! Project Q/A.
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Coming Soon!
Our team is in the process of designing an DriveElectricTN (DET) Specialty License Plate where our goal is to secure a minimum of 1,000 registrants at $35 per plate for the program to succeed!
So why support this program? We know that you're committed to a future of renewable energy, new and green technology and encouraging economic growth that adds more jobs for our state and addresses community health while also supporting the Earth’s environment through electric vehicles (EVs). And, because this stuff matters to you, DET needs funding to support the initiatives and programming that will be directed towards local and statewide EV educational initiatives and programming covering those topics through DET’s three pillars of work: INFRASTRUCTURE, AWARENESS and POLICIES & PROGRAMS.
Some examples of the programming you’re funding are the much-needed Community Outreach and Engagement Initiatives through in-person and virtual events.
Here's a sampling of current and future programming:
- Free In-person and Virtual Ride & Drives
- Webinars that will cover a range of EV topics
- basic to advance technology
- economic impact and job creation
- transportation and health
- protecting our environment
- Connecting and networking urban to rural local, statewide, regional and national leaders to initiate and develop EV action plans.
With your help, we can realize this future across our beautiful state and where rural and urban communities can educationally and technologically advance together.
For those who want to register now, before the design is released, please contact us. There are three of us on the list already!
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Q/A: What to Expect!
Q: Why should I support this program?
A: DriveElectricTN (DET) provides a range of EV initiatives and programming for the state. We have built a local to statewide communication network which has brought Energy Industry leaders to EV Enthusiasts together to meet and create EV momentum in your community. DET is managed by East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, a nonprofit 501c3 organization.Your support, through this plate, is a visible and fiscal method to show your commitment in advancing EV statewide programming.
Q: How many plate registrations are needed for this program to succeed and what is the cost?
A: DET needs to secure 1,000 Tennessee registrations with a $35 per plate commitment in a limited timeframe. If we don't meet our 1,000 commitments with a $35 dollar fee then the DriveElectricTN (DET) license plate program can't exist.
Q: How much funding does DET receive from this $35 commitment?
A: DET receives 50% from the $35 funding. The rest of the funding is directed to the Tennessee Arts Commission who receives 40% and Tennessee's Highway program who receives 10%
Q: Is this a one-time payment of $35?
A: Yes and No. We are asking that you commit to at least one year and to easily renew each year through a self-selected recurring annual $35 "plate registration" commitment during the state's annual vehicle registration process.
Q: Who can sign up?
A: Anyone! And, you don't have to own an electric vehicle (EV) and/or plug in electric vehicle (PHEV).
Q: Can I sign up now?
Sure! Currently there are three of us who have signed up! We only need 997 more!
Q: How long will it take before I get my license plate?
A: Once we secure 1,000 names and the $35 commitment per plate, we submit this information to the Tennessee Department of Revenue's State office no later than May 2022. If we collect 1,000 names earlier than the May timeframe then the plate will become available sooner!
Q: Who manages the Specialty License Plate program?
A: The Tennessee Department of Revenue, a state agency, manages the license plate program. They provide program information, receive the names and payments that we provide and manage the license plate's print production. When it's ready to be officially released, we will contact you to pick your plate up at your local county clerks office. And the cool part is that it becomes a permanent part of our state's Specialty License plate program!
Q: Can I see the DET plate design?
A: We've had several visual concepts submitted for review where we're finally narrowing down to our official DET designed plate which will be released in April. Even though the plate design will be released in April, you can still pre-register today. Currently, there are three of us who have signed up! We only need 997 more! Sign up today by emailing virginia@driveelectrictn.org.
Q: I like what I'm reading. How can I help promote this plate?
A: Thanks for wanting to help! Our biggest task is getting at least 1,000 people to say "YES" and collecting the $35. We are asking everyone to share this information with your network of friends, families and business associates. If you own and/or work for a business, we ask that you see if the company will advertise this program internally.
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Be one of the first 1,000 folks to receive a Tennessee DriveElectricTN Specialty License Plate today!
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Thanks DriveElectricTN
Members for your Support!
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Become a DET Member Today! |
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DET's goal is to work collectively together to advance the state of Tennessee through lasting working partnerships and collaborations at the local, state, regional and national level through three main pillars of work - INFRASTRUCTURE, POLICIES & PROGRAMS, and AWARENESS.
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Spread the word about our e-mail list |
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Currently, we’re creating a statewide email communication network – a unified front – where EV pioneers and advocates can receive up-to-date information, ideas, stories and relevant resources.
As a part of this network, participants will receive updates about ongoing DET projects and information about to get involved themselves.
You are already on this list, however we want your help by encouraging others to sign up. Please forward this to other enthusiasts and sign up today to be a part of our Tennessee statewide EV story! Virginia is ready to talk to stakeholders to discuss plans for the upcoming year. Please reach out to her at virginia@driveelectrictn.org.
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DriveElectricTN | 423-833-8474 | info@driveelectrictn.org |
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See where we're driving to next! |
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