As the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise across the country, an EV charging station is now available at Northeast Alabama Community College. The college has installed a ChargePoint Dual Port Level II charging station in the main parking lot adjacent to Alabama Highway 35. Two ports are available.

Electric vehicles are a hot topic right now in the automotive industry as people consider making the switch from gas-reliant vehicles.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) has already put $7.2 million into installing 41 charging stations across the state to support this transition. The department will also be receiving $79 million over the next five years to begin installing charging stations near all interstates across Alabama.

PowerSouth Electric Cooperative has announced a partnership with electric vehicle charging platform Optiwatt and it could pay off for EV owners.

Optiwatt and 14 of PowerSouth’s distribution member systems invite EV owners across South Alabama and Northwest Florida to participate in the Electric Vehicle Research Pilot. The EV owners can receive a $25 reward.

The Electric Vehicle Research Pilot will analyze EV charging trends to prepare the South’s electricity infrastructure for the expected load from electric vehicle charging. It aims to prepare U.S. electricity grids for increasing EV adoption, which will grow exponentially in the next few years and put local utilities providers under stress due to heightened charging demand.

The city is participating in the TVA DC Fast Charge program. That program makes fast charge available every 50 miles along the major corridor.

MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $1.2 million to provide charging stations for electric vehicles at five locations in Alabama.

 The grants are awarded to help Alabama be ready as more electric vehicles are purchased and travel the state highways.

“As more electric cars and trucks, including many models produced by Alabama car manufacturers, make their way onto Alabama roadways, they will need access to adequate charging facilities,” Gov. Ivey said. “Our goal is to ensure that electric vehicle charging stations are located not only along the interstate system, but on other major highway arteries throughout the state.”

Funds for all the projects came from appropriations by the Alabama Legislature under the state Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Program. The grants target well-traveled highway systems away from the interstates or busy locations. Most of the latest awards are in locations along Alabama’s highway system on the state’s eastern corridor.