City plugs into first EV charging station in downtown Columbia

Columbia has stepped into the future of electronic vehicle travel by powering up, quite literally, its first electronic vehicle (EV) charging station in the heart of the city's downtown district.

The new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) station, located in the public parking lot at the intersection of East 7th and Woodland Streets, was made possible through partnerships between the city, county and Columbia Power and Water Systems, as well as the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Columbia was one of only 12 Tennessee cities chosen to receive funding from a $5.2 million grant from TVA and TDEC, a grant which aims to increase the use of EVs along state highways and interstates as part of its Fast Charge TN Network. Of the moneys distributed, Columbia received $300,000.

"These charging stations represent a crucial step in Columbia’s efforts to support the growth of electric vehicles and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for our city and state,” said Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder. “By working alongside partners like CPWS, TVA, and TDEC, we are able to position Columbia at the forefront of green energy initiatives.”

Assistant City Manager Thad Jablonski said discussions about adding charging stations to downtown began in 2021. With the money received through the grant, the city was required to match 20%, he said.

"With CPWS being a key partner on this, they provided the 20% match on the project," Jablonski said. "The aim is to locate these stations as spread out as possible to where there's one available every 40-50 miles or so ... and downtown Columbia is a great place to do that."

More than your average 'fill up'

While the basic concept of charging an electronic vehicle versus gasoline is relatively the same, as in providing the vehicle with enough juice to complete its journey, there's more to an EV station than meets the eye.

The newly installed charging stations feature Level 3 DC Fast Chargers, which can provide an 80% charge to a standard EV in just 15-20 minutes. This rapid charging capability allows EV drivers to power up quickly during short stops, making sustainable travel more convenient than ever.

"TVA is truly committed to supporting the expansion of the fast charge network," Chris Templeton, Customer Service Manager for TVA, said. "By working to establish these charging locations every 50 miles, we can meet the needs of the growing population of EV drivers. Congratulations to Columbia on becoming the 39th installation site, and we look forward to the positive impact this will bring to the community."

Most electronic vehicles will take between a half an hour to an hour to gain a full charge, depending on make, model and battery. Though that exceeds the average time it takes to pump gas at a typical filling station, charging at an EV station provides a different kind of opportunity.

For example, placing the station in an area like downtown Columbia provides drivers the opportunity to shop, eat and explore local businesses while they wait.

"For 10-15 extra minutes, you are able to fill your vehicle with cheaper fuel, as well as all of the environmental benefits, and you can choose to spend that extra time to visit all of the great locations we have while you are here," CPWS CEO Jonathan Hardin said. "That's going to be a model that's embraced by the entire Tennessee Valley, that it's not just some nondescript station off the beaten path where there is nothing to do, but rather like you are stepping into a vibrant community."

Jablonski added that the project is part of a much larger network of stations TVA and TDEC aim to better enhance statewide travel and convenience, while also promoting local tourism,

"One of the things was to try and place these EV charging stations in such a way that every 40-50 miles you have a charging station available," Jablonski said. "Some of those vehicles might take a little while to charge, and so it makes sense to place the station adjacent to amenities, and downtown Columbia is filled with amenities."

The new station could also serve as an example for how the city and county could better accommodate electronic vehicle drivers, while at the same time providing benefits to small businesses, which in turn generates additional local economic revenue.

"Gas, oil and all of those things are still very important, an is an important part of our economy, but we can acknowledge that it's harder to have an individual pump at each parking space," Hardin said. "But you can have parking spaces that also serve as a refueling point for a clean emission vehicle while you are visiting all of the wonderful shops downtown. It's getting us closer to the ballpark of that ever elusive 'win-win' you could say."

J ay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com .

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: City plugs into first EV charging station in downtown Columbia