Montgomery Whitewater to get eight electric vehicle charging stations

Shannon Heupel, Montgomery Advertiser
·2 min read
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There’s already something electric about the rush of visitors starting a rafting journey at Montgomery Whitewater, but why should their vehicles feel left out?

Thanks to a new $461,700 grant, eight electric vehicle charging stations will be added at Montgomery Whitewater. The funds, awarded Aug. 3 to the Montgomery County Commission, are part of $1.2 million grant for EV charging stations across the state awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey and administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

“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,” Ivey said in a release. “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.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Alabama had 8,730 electric vehicles registered by the end of 2022.

Montgomery Whitewater, the new artificial river channel park at 1100 Maxwell Boulevard in Montgomery, is near I-65 next to Maxwell Air Force Base.

Montgomery Whitewater will soon add eight electric vehicle charging stations, thanks to a $461,700 grant to the Montgomery County Commission.
Montgomery Whitewater will soon add eight electric vehicle charging stations, thanks to a $461,700 grant to the Montgomery County Commission.

Funds were awarded through the 2023 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant Program. Along with Montgomery, funds were awarded to place EV charging stations in:

Dothan — $118,974 for the city to install two charging station at James Oates Park, 798 Campbellton Highway.

Gadsden — $180,965 to Ira Phillips Inc. for two charging stations at the city of Gadsden parking lot (next to the Museum of Art/Center for Cultural Arts), 515 Broad St.

Phenix City — $263,511 awarded to Catcard LLC to install a two-bay charging area at Burger King, 1135 E. U.S. 280 Bypass.

Charging stations like this are being funded in Montgomery, Gadsden, Dothan, Phenix City and Wedowee thanks to a $1.2 million grant.
Charging stations like this are being funded in Montgomery, Gadsden, Dothan, Phenix City and Wedowee thanks to a $1.2 million grant.

Wedowee — $180,424 awarded to Allen Oil Co. of Sylacauga to install a two-bay charging station at Allen’s Food Mart, 1308 Main St. (U.S. Highway 431.)

According to nerdwallet.com, public charging stations like these can give a charge for 200 miles or more in about an hour.

ADECA awarded EV infrastructure grants for $4.1 million in 2021, and $2.45 million in 2022.

Funds for all the projects came from appropriations by the Alabama Legislature under the state Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Program.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery Whitewater to get eight electric vehicle charging stations