EPB has new, free electric vehicle charging stations on the first floor of the EPB parking garage in Downtown Chattanooga that are open to the public. 

As part of EPB’s continuing effort to help the community benefit as the automotive industry accelerates the shift to electric vehicles, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger joined EPB in announcing the new EV charging stations on Thursday.

“Sustainability is an essential part of Chattanooga’s brand and our local economy,” said Mayor Kelly.  “EPB is an innovator in this emerging green economy, and I am grateful for their many partnerships and green initiatives like this one.  The EPB Smart Grid was recently named the most resilient, reliable, PEER certified utility grid in the United States, making them the perfect leader to ensure Gig City is EV-ready.”

“The entire Tennessee Valley will benefit from EV adoption,” said County Mayor Coppinger.  “Volkswagen Chattanooga is an EV leader.  VW is investing $800 million locally to produce electric vehicles and adding an EV Battery Testing Lab here.  Volkswagen has already started production of the ID4 here in Hamilton County, they have three mainstream EV models in their pipeline, and VW has said it will launch its last combustion platform in 2026.”

The new parking deck chargers are part of EPB’s on-going effort to raise awareness about the benefits of the shift to EVs for the region while also providing resources to make the change easier for people in the Chattanooga area. EPB is offering 13 EV charging spaces with clear signage on the first floor of the EPB parking garage which has an entrance at the back of the building on 10th Street between Broad and MLK.  The public pays to park in the EPB parking garage, but the EV charging stations are free.  Parking starts at only $1 with a daily maximum of $8. There are also three additional free EV charging stations on the roof of the EPB parking deck.

“EVs offer many benefits for both our individual customers and our community as a whole,” said David Wade, EPB president and CEO.  “Electric vehicle adoption supports local jobs and allows us to more fully utilize our existing community infrastructure.  They’re fast and fun to drive, they can charge at home for about 1/3 of the cost of gas for the same miles and the maintenance costs are lower.” 

In addition, EPB has launched three new company policies designed to support local companies in deploying additional EV charging options: a Commercial EV Rate, a New Construction EV Growth Credit and an Incentive for Public EV Chargers for Commercial Customers.  EPB is also partnering with TVA, the State of Tennessee and others to add electric charging stations every 50 miles on major highways across Tennessee. Read more here