MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded nearly $1 million to make it more convenient for electric-vehicle drivers to charge their vehicles in Alabama.

Gov. Ivey awarded three grants from funds remaining from Alabama’s portion of the nationwide Volkswagen settlement plan for electric charging stations at businesses and public venues in three locations, all in east Alabama.

“As the automotive industry, including manufacturers who call Alabama home, shift production toward electric vehicles, Alabama has made strides in supporting increased charging stations along our travel corridors,” Gov. Ivey said. “We will continue that progress as more vehicles, including many produced here in Alabama, are powered by electricity.”

Electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to set records, a positive trend for automakers Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai, which have Alabama-built EVs rolling off assembly lines in Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.

American consumers purchased more than 300,000 battery-powered vehicles (BEV) in the third quarter of 2023 to set a new sales record, according to a report by Kelley Blue Book. That’s up from the previous record of 298,000 EVs, set in the second quarter of this year, and reflects a nearly 50 percent increase from the third quarter of 2022.

In addition, the average cost of a new EV dropped from $65,000 a year ago got $50,683 now. That’s a decline of about 20 percent. 

RaceTrac has partnered with electric vehicle (EV) charging provider EnviroSpark to install the convenience store chain’s first EV charging station in Oxford, Alabama.

The site, located at 204 Grace Street, was chosen for its convenient location near I-20 between Birmingham and Atlanta.

Trenholm State Community College has joined the Innovate Alabama Network and received a grant of more than $240,000 to expand its Automotive Service Program to focus on Electric Vehicle maintenance.

Innovate Alabama is a statewide public-private partnership that assists innovators in establishing roots in Alabama through entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. The Innovate Alabama Network connects communities, nonprofits, and higher education institutions across the state in order to encourage collaboration among and growth within the Network’s members.

Mary Palmer Rosenau can show easily show the benefits and efficiency of electric vehicles. A map in front of her Volkswagen ID.4 SUV illustrated just how much she can accomplish with her vehicle, a few stops, and a little extra planning.

Rosenau in August drove her SUV across country more than 2,500 miles from Birmingham to Niagara Falls with stops in New York and Boston. The trip there cost about $150.

A technical team of experts is being formed to create a $30 million center at the Alabama Robotics Technology Park that is expected to put north Alabama on the cutting edge of electric vehicle technology.

Ed Castile, director of Alabama Industrial Development and Technology (AIDT), said Wednesday that he plans to have a team that features representatives of the state’s automotive makers — Mazda-Toyota, Mercedes and Hyundai — and state colleges and universities leading the creation of the new EV center.

National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) is designed to spread the word about the many benefits of electric vehicles.

EV owners consistently report significant cost savings on fuel and maintenance, while also raving about the enjoyable driving experience.

Montevallo now has a public EV charging station available in the heart of its downtown business district.

Mayor Rusty Nix cut the ribbon at the charging station located at 550 Main St. – directly across from City Hall – during a ceremony on Thursday.

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.