JAMES WOOD

Staff Writer

A new electric car charging station has been placed on the north corner of S. Main St. and McGrew St. across from the Fly Arts Center parking lot, making it the third to be installed in Bedford County out of 3,068 statewide.

Being built by Shelbyville Power, Water, and Sewage (SPWS) this new station will offer two chargers.

The station will feature the first DC Fast Chargers in Bedford County, which have the capability to charge an EV to 80% within 20-45 minutes.

Work began on the project approximately 9 months ago, with construction beginning in late February after receiving approval from the City of Shelbyville. The chargers were donated to SPWSS by TVA.

“This station will be available for public use and will operate very similar to a gas station,” said SPWS General Manager Jason Reese. “We’re still working on the price per kWh. The charger location will be added to ChargePoint’s database that will help draw EV drivers in need of a charge passing through town to the Shelbyville Square.”

According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, there are 50,755 passenger electric vehicles on the road in the state, 122 of which are in Bedford County.

“This is part of the TN Fast Charge Network between TVA and TDEC. Shelbyville Power will own, operate, and maintain this charging station,” said Reese.