Arkansas Could Receive $54m For Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy announced Thursday nearly $5 billion will be used to build a national electric vehicle charging network. The money will be distributed to states over five years and comes from the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Arkansas is eligible to receive up to $54.12 million for projects that relate to the charging of an electric vehicle and support electric vehicle charging infrastructure. According to a news release, Arkansas has 490 miles of pending and ready electric vehicle corridors.
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program was established by the new infrastructure law and is expected to help states create a network of electric vehicle charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along interstates. Under the program, $615 million will be made available in fiscal year 2022. States must submit an electric vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan before they can access the money
READ MORE about electric vehicle charging stations in Arkansas at TalkBusiness.net
Level 1 Charging Station
Level 1 charging means charging by simply plugging your EV into a normal household electrical outlet . For a Nissan Leaf, charging this way yields 4-5 miles of range per hour of charging, or about 22 hours for a full charge.
This seems like a long charge time, but consider that 80% of US drivers drive less than 40 miles per day. This means that the typical EV will not require a “full” charge each night, and could easily recharge in the hours while the car is idle in the garage.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion Notification
Any individual or company who converts a vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel must report the conversion to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration within 10 days of the conversion. An owner or operator who fails to report such a conversion may be subject to a penalty. For more information, including reporting forms, see the DFA website.
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Do You Need An Electric Vehicle Home Charger
Electric vehicles come with several benefits, but it can be time-consuming to look for available public charging stations and wait around for your car to finish charging. A home charging station can help free up your time and provide greater convenience. You can charge your vehicle overnight and have it ready to go in the morning, so you can focus on getting ready for the day ahead. No more waiting around and wasting time at a public charging stationyou can have your electric vehicle charged at your convenience, allowing you to use your time more efficiently.
Entergy Arkansas Adopt A Charger Installing 10 ‘fee
01/25/2021
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Charge Up! Arkansas, a new partnership between Entergy Arkansas and Adopt a Charger, will break ground on the first of 10 electric vehicle charging stations locations Feb. 1 at Flagpole Park in Lonoke. The Lonoke location will have four charging ports and was unanimously approved by the Lonoke City Council.
Entergy Arkansas is happy to support the expansion of innovative, customer-centric technologies such as electric vehicle chargers, said Kurt Castleberry, director of Resource Planning and Market Operations for Entergy Arkansas. Investments like this help advance clean energy technology and sustainability for our customers, communities and all of our stakeholders.
Adopt a Charger is a nonprofit organization focused on accelerating the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles by broadening available charging infrastructure. Raising awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles and encouraging ecotourism in Arkansas are the goals of Charge Up! Arkansas, supported in part through a grant from Entergy Corporation Environmental Initiatives Fund.
When people spot an EV driving down the road, they dont automatically notice that the vehicle runs on electricity. The aha moment happens when they see the car plugged in at places they like to go, and they get to ask questions of the driver about the owner’s experience, said Kitty Adams, executive director of Adopt a Charger.
About Entergy Corporation
About Adopt a Charger
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Electric Vehicle Usage + Charging Station Expansions In Arkansas Explained
This story is a part of The Article, your guide to Arkansas news and culture, presented by the Democrat-Gazette. Sign up for The Article’s twice-weekly newsletter here or to see stories that have appeared in past newsletters, gohere .
Arkansas residents and visitors will soon see an increase in electric vehicle charging stations as public- and private-sector initiatives promise to expand the state’s limited infrastructure.
Back up: Whats electric vehicle usage like in Arkansas?
According to U.S. Department of Energy data analyzed by QuoteWizard, an insurance comparison site, the state is ranked:
46th in alternative fueling stations
42nd electric charging outlets
Last in overall electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure
In Arkansas, 1,709 electric vehicles are registered that’s less than 0.01% of the 4.1 million registered vehicles in the state, according to the Department of Finance and Administration.
About 0.5% are hybrids, which run partly on gasoline, like a conventional car, as well as an electric motor and battery.
Where are stations currently located?
Arkansas has an estimated 202 EV charging locations with 434 individual stations.
According to an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette analysis of entries on Plugshare, a popular electric car driver’s app:
Nearly 30% of the stations are in Pulaski County
About 17% are in Benton and Washington counties
Thirty-seven of Arkansas’ 75 counties have no charging locations
Regional Electric Vehicle And Autonomous Vehicle Support
Arkansas joined Oklahoma in signing a memorandum of understanding to support advanced mobility solutions, including EVs, AVs, and battery manufacturing. Signatory States are committed to:
- Establishing a launch pad for research and commercialization of EVs, AVs, and battery manufacturing
- Collaborating with industry leaders and fueling stations
- Supporting workforce development opportunities and,
- Coordinating EV, AV, and battery manufacturing economic development efforts across the region.
For more information, see the Arkansas Governors Office press release.
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Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Support
Arkansas utilities joined the National Electric Highway Coalition , committing to create a network of direct current fast charging stations connecting major highway systems from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific of the United States. NEHC utility members agree to ensure efficient and effective fast charging deployment plans that enable long distance EV travel, avoiding duplication among coalition utilities, and complement existing corridor DCFC sites. For more information, including a list of participating utilities and states, see the NEHC website.
But Can You Charge Your Car For Free
Why pay at home if you can recharge your car for free at thousands of public-charging points around the country? This sounds like a no-brainer, but there are caveats here. Free charging points tend to be slow or fast chargers, not the super-efficient rapid or even ultra-rapid chargers.
Pod Point, which provides charging at more than 600 Tesco supermarkets, offers 7kW slow chargers and 22kW fast chargers for free. However, you must pay what it calls the market rate for using its 50kW rapid chargers. Given that it can take more than eight hours to fully charge a Renault Zoe on a slow charger, and almost three hours to fully charge using a fast charger, youre unlikely to get a full battery charge while you complete the weekly shop. Still, every little helps.
Thats not to say the free public-charging points are worthless, far from it, but unless you live right next to a supermarket, they are more useful for quick top-ups rather than full charges.
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Electric Vehicle Charging Stationsfor Arkansas Businesses
Every single one of Lumatechs technicians is a state-certified electrician. This allows us to perform electrical services statewide in Arkansas related to our customers lighting needs, as well as standalone electrical services. Our electrical services can be performed as individual projects, or as part of a larger planned maintenance or rollout project. In a rollout project, we can bundle electrical upgrades at multiple facilities into a set per-location price that allows our customers to accurately predict costs and achieve additional savings.
All of our electrical projects benefit from Lumatechs expert project management system that includes daily progress reports, real-time billing and superior efficiency in meeting our proposed schedules.
Luxury Hotels With Electric Car Charging Stations In Little Rock
At Reservations.com, we applaud you for making a move and helping our environment by upgrading your rental car or traveling by electric car.To stay juiced up and ready for your adventures in Little Rock, we have a few luxury hotels and resorts with electric charging stations for your convenience.Take your electric car to some of the nearby attractions and landmarks like Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library and Learning Center, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, and Arkansas Museum of Discovery.If you want to rent an electric car for your trip to Little Rock use Rentacar and save!
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Arkansas To Receive $54 Million For Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
by Jeff Della Rosa February 10, 2022 10:51 am 1,439 views
The U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy announced Thursday nearly $5 billion will be used to build a national electric vehicle charging network. The money will be distributed to states over five years and comes from the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Arkansas is eligible to receive up to $54.12 million for projects that relate to the charging of an electric vehicle and support electric vehicle charging infrastructure. According to a news release, Arkansas has 490 miles of pending and ready electric vehicle corridors.
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program was established by the new infrastructure law and is expected to help states create a network of electric vehicle charging stations along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along interstates. Under the program, $615 million will be made available in fiscal year 2022. States must submit an electric vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan before they can access the money. A second, competitive grant program will be announced later this year that is expected to increase electric vehicle charging infrastructure in locations throughout the country, including in rural and underserved communities.
Alternative Fuels Tax And Reporting
Excise taxes on alternative fuels are imposed on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis. The tax rate for each alternative fuel type is based on the number of motor vehicles licensed in the state that use the specific fuel, not including vehicles the federal government owns or leases. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration and the Arkansas State Highways and Transportation Department must prepare an annual report with the number of alternative fuel vehicles licensed in the state and the tax revenue generated. The DFA must establish the tax rate annually by April 1. Licensed alternative fuel suppliers must pay alternative fuel taxes for product dispensed, sold to a dealer or user, or used in a motor vehicle owned or operated by the alternative fuel supplier. Alternative fuel suppliers must prepare a monthly report on the number of GGEs of alternative fuels sold and possess a sufficient number of credits to cover the alternative fuel sales tax.
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Idle Reduction Technology Loans
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality provides small business loans to institute pollution control and prevention measures. Idle reduction technologies for heavy-duty trucking applications are eligible. The maximum loan amount is $45,000, with a $65,000 lifetime maximum for one business, with loan terms up to 10 years. An eligible business must employ 100 individuals or less and demonstrate proof of profitability and the ability to repay the loan. For more information, including a loan application, see the ADEQ Environmental Assistance Low-Interest Loans for Small Businesses website.
A Tesla Charging Station In Eureka Springs Arkansas
Tesla and other electric car owners may have hesitated to make a trip to some of the more interesting parts of the country in the past, but now can experience our beautiful town without concern of available charging outlets. Telsa owners can drive all day, charging for 30-40 minutes at Superchargers and then stop to stay at Arsenic & Old Lace, or other quality-assured Select Registry properties that have installed Tesla High Power Connectors. Teslas High Power Wall Connectors add 58 miles of range per hour, topping off a Models full 265 miles of range in just a few hours on a single charge.
Our Tesla Connector at the Tesla charging station features an 80 amp charge with an average charge time of 3 to 5 hours, while the Clipper Creek universal connector serves-up 30 amps with an average charge time of 7-10 hours.Access to Our Tesla Charging StationRegistered guests at Arsenic & Old Lace may charge at our Tesla charging station for free. Non-guests are welcome to charge to $15 and will receive a coupon worth $30 towards a future stay with us here at Arsenic & Old Lace in Eureka Springs, Arkansas!
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How Is Funding Being Used
- ACD Inc.1 station installed
- Aleshire Electric2 stations installed
- Baymonth Wyndham2 stations installed
- Cabot City Hall6 stations installed
- Cabot Community Center4 stations installed
- City of Little Rock Building Services1 station installed
- City of Little Rock Fire Training Facility1 station installed
- City of North Little Rock4 stations installed
- Clay County Electric Cooperative1 stations installed
- Comfort Inn4 stations installed
- Delta Development Fund1 stations installed
- Hampton Inn4 stations installed
- Home2Suites3 stations installed
- Innerplan Offices2 stations installed
- Jonesbor City Water & Light4 stations installed
- La Quinta3 stations installed
- Lindsey’s Hospitality House2 stations installed
- Magie Ford2 stations installed
- Mountain Harbor Resort10 stations installed
- Nick’s BBQ3 stations installed
- Southeast Arkansas Comm. College6 stations installed
- Summerhill Racquet & Athletic Club1 station installed
- TownePlace Suites4 stations installed
- Tropical Smoothie Cantrell2 stations installed
- University of Arkansas – Batesville2 stations installed
- Washington Co. Courthouse4 stations installed
Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Program
AVs may operate in Arkansas under a pilot program established by the State Highway Commission if an exemption is granted by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. To participate in the pilot program, an AV must have proof of insurance, be capable of complying with all traffic laws, including the ability to safely operate at a railroad crossing, and have safety mechanisms in place in the event of a failure. Under the pilot program, a person may operate an AV that is not equipped with seatbelts, a steering wheel, or a rearview mirror, and may operate a maximum of three AVs simultaneously.
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State Paving Way For Electric Cars
Arkansas residents and visitors will soon see an increase in electric vehicle charging stations as public- and private-sector initiatives promise to expand the state’s limited infrastructure.
The state Department of Energy and Environment launched a program this month to support the growth of charging outlets in Arkansas. The program is using nearly $1 million from Volkswagen’s environmental mitigation fund to provide rebates to public and private applicants that install Level 2 EV stations, which can charge electric vehicles in eight hours or less using a 240-volt output, according to the department.
Program managers will be looking for people like Doug Breitling, owner of Arsenic and Old Lace Bed & Breakfast Inn in Eureka Springs.
Breitling installed three chargers about six years ago with the help of incentives that Tesla offered at the time, he said. He’s had guests — including one Tesla driver on an 8,000-mile road trip — stay at the inn solely because he had charging stations.
“We’ve had a good number of people use it,” he said. “Electric vehicles are getting to be much, much more popular.”
The state is ranked 46th and 42nd in alternative fueling stations and electric charging outlets, respectively, per 10,000 vehicles. It ranks last in overall electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure, according to U.S. Department of Energy data analyzed by QuoteWizard, an insurance comparison site.
Thirty-seven of Arkansas’ 75 counties have no charging locations.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle And Electric Vehicle Fee
HEV and EV owners must pay an annual fee in addition to other registration fees. The fee is $200 for all-electric vehicles, $100 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and $50 for HEVs. Fees contribute to the State Highway and Transportation Department Fund. Vehicles that are registered with a military service and veterans special license plate with permanent decal pursuant to Arkansas Code 27-24-201 are exempt from the annual fee. , 27-14-614, and 27-24-201)
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Arkansas In Line For $54 Million To Build Electric
Two big announcements last week indicate that 2022 could be the year when Arkansas fully plugs into the electric vehicle industry.
First, the Biden administration said it would provide $5 billion to states to reach the goal of building 500,000 charging stations across the country. Arkansas is in line to receive about $54 million, which will be a vital investment to create a statewide transportation infrastructure that supports electric vehicles, according to Becky Keogh, secretary of the Department of Energy and Environment.
“We could deploy a very widespread transportation infrastructure,” she said. “We’re still evaluating the requirements that Arkansas needs to make to receive that money but it is a significant level of investment and it makes us competitive in having chargers deployed across our state.”
The key is to have chargers available every 50-60 miles to build confidence among electric-vehicle owners or companies that use them to demonstrate that their cars and trucks won’t lose juice in the middle of nowhere.
Overall, Arkansas should be able to create a network of charging stations across the state that encourages travel and stimulates more Arkansans to buy electric vehicles, Keogh said.
This week’s manufacturing news further bolsters efforts in the state Canoo said it could begin building electric vehicles in Arkansas as soon as next year.
Now, the initiative gains even more momentum with the $54 million slated for Arkansas under Biden’s plan.
