Smiths Station witnesses the inauguration of a fresh Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station, honored by local officials.
Alabama's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is growing, with new stations popping up across the state. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) has been a key player in this expansion, providing funding for the construction of EV charging stations and bringing together public and private partners to make Alabama more welcoming for EV owners.
One such example is the EV charging station at Love's Travel Stop in Smiths Station. This charging station provides easy charging for travelers on the U.S. 280 corridor, making it critically important for providing accessible and convenient charging on Alabama's major highways.
Smiths Station Mayor Richard Cooley expressed his delight at the partnership between ADECA and Love's, stating that it's wonderful that they can work together to bring the charging station to Smiths Station.
ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell emphasized the importance of increasing the number of public chargers throughout the state, as the growing number of EVs on the road requires an increase in charging options.
The addition of the charging station in Smiths Station is just one of many under ADECA's EV infrastructure program. The program pays for up to 80 percent of a station's construction through grant funding, leading to the completion of dozens of charging stations statewide.
In addition to the Smiths Station charging station, an EV charging station was also added earlier this year in Orange Beach, Alabama.
The expansion of EV charging stations in Alabama is beneficial for local communities, as EV owners contribute to the area's economic prosperity while their vehicles are charging. An MIT study found that businesses within a mile of EV chargers experience a notable increase in customer traffic and spending.
This progress positions Alabama to improve EV charging availability, though rural gaps and overall network density remain challenges. However, with ongoing investments and partnerships, Alabama is well on its way to becoming a more EV-friendly state.
[1] U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center. (2022). Alabama EV Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_infrastructure/alabama.html
[2] Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. (2022). ADECA Awards Grants for EV Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.adeca.alabama.gov/adeca-awards-grants-for-ev-infrastructure/
[3] Kelley Blue Book. (2022). Electric Vehicle Sales Set New Record in First Half of 2022. Retrieved from https://www.kbb.com/car-news/industry-trends/electric-vehicle-sales-set-new-record-in-first-half-of-2022-3020450/
[4] Experion Automotive. (2022). Electric Vehicle Market in the U.S. to Grow to 4.1 Million in 2024. Retrieved from https://www.experionglobal.com/blog/electric-vehicle-market-in-the-u-s-to-grow-to-4-1-million-in-2024/
[5] Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition. (2022). Smiths Station EV Charging Station Opens. Retrieved from https://alabamacleanfuels.org/smiths-station-ev-charging-station-opens/
[6] Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores. (2022). About Love's. Retrieved from https://loves.com/about-loves/
- Home-and-garden businesses in Smiths Station, Alabama, could benefit from the rise of electric vehicle (EV) ownership, as an MIT study suggests that businesses near EV charging stations experience an increase in customer traffic and spending.
- As Alabama continues to grow its electric vehicle charging infrastructure, there's a potential for consumers to adopt a more eco-friendly home-and-garden lifestyle, such as opting for electric lawnmowers or other electric home appliances, further reducing the state's carbon footprint.
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