CARTA officials said Thursday that it is about to launch - along with TVA - installation of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the city as well as a new electric vehicle ride share program.
Philip Pugliese said the first phase of the project funds the development, system design, siting, construction, operation, reporting, and management of an electric vehicle charging system with approximately 20 locations and also the development of solar energy generation facilities at separate sites which are integrated into the local power grid.
He said phase two of the project will be the development and deployment of an electric vehicle car-sharing system which will be operated from the new vehicle charging stations across the community, "and will serve as a new component of an integrated public transportation system in Chattanooga."
Mr.
Pugliese said CARTA will own the charging stations, but the EV car-sharing program will be operated by a private firm.
There will be no charge to the driver of an electric vehicle for using the charges.
Mr. Pugliese said the rate has not been set for taking a spin in one of the shared electric vehicles.
Steve Jett, CARTA board chairman, said the car-sharing program is expected to bolster CARTA's transit program rather compete with it. He said it would be another option for those seeking local transportation, especially those who do not own vehicles.
Mr. Pugliese said it is computed that one of the car-sharing vehicles "can replace 19 vehicles in the neighborhood."
A CARTA board member told of using car-sharing in another city recently when she was in town without a vehicle and needed to get to a meeting that was not on the bus line.
Mr. Pugliese said the program involving the charging stations is expected to pay for itself. The stations will be operated by solar panels. He said EPB and TVA pay a premium for solar-generated power that goes into the grid.
Officials said, "Through the expansion of charging stations, the installation of renewable solar power generation, and the use of plug-in electric vehicles, this project will promote the adoption of clean energy technologies and will reduce engine emissions from vehicle use on a sustained basis. A research component of the project will track the utilization of this system to gather data to support additional development for the Tennessee Valley.
"CARTA’s vision is to provide an initial network of 20 electric vehicle charging stations (“pods”), each containing between two and six electric vehicle charging ports."
Specific goals include:
• Expanding the public electric charging network to make it easier for current and future electric/plug in hybrid electric vehicles to operate in our area
• Creating a solar energy generation system that will create sufficient amounts of renewable energy to operate the electric charging stations and to power the car share service
• Reducing local vehicle emissions and educating the public on the benefits of environmental stewardship
Proposed partner charging station sites:
* CARTA – Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
• CARTA – Shuttle Park South
• CARTA – Shuttle Park North
• CARTA – Shuttle Park North Shore
• CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. – Hamilton Place Mall
• CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. – Northgate Mall
• Chattanooga Airport
• Chattanooga Theatre Center
• CHI Memorial Hospital – Memorial Main Hospital
• City of Chattanooga – 5th & Palmetto
• City of Chattanooga – Warner Park/Chattanooga Zoo
• City of Chattanooga – W 11th St @ Market/Broad
• Eastgate Town Center
• Erlanger Heath System – Erlanger East
• Hamilton County Tennessee River Park – Chattanooga State
• Kinsey Probasco Hays – Flying Squirrel/Crash Pad
• Orange Grove Center
• Southern Adventist University
• United Methodist Neighborhood Centers, Inc. – The Bethlehem Center
PROPOSED PARTNER SITE LOCATIONS FOR SOLAR GENERATORS
• CARTA Main Facility
• Chattanooga Airport
• Southern Adventist University
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE
Site Host agreements have been submitted for approval to all parties.
CARTA opened bids for construction and installation of all electric and solar equipment on Feb. 9. Preferred construction contractor has been identified and the contract was awarded in early April.
All construction should be complete within 160 days.