SALS, Tennessee Tech enter into electric vehicle partnership
May 16—The Southern Appalachian Labor School has entered into a partnership with Tennessee Technological University for the purpose of testing a 100 percent electric vehicle.
According to a press release from SALS, the vehicle's availability is provided through a federal Department of Energy grant to Tennessee Tech titled "Rural Reimagined: Building an EV Ecosystem for Appalachia."
Jon Averill, who coordinates the program in West Virginia, said the objective of the project is to build the underpinnings of a comprehensive EV ecosystem and green economy in the most economically-distressed Appalachian region to transform the lives of rural and low-income communities through strong regional collaboration.
In a press release, he noted that the project aims to provide clean and affordable mobility options to the underserved communities by developing needed charging infrastructure, and adopting and demonstrating various cost-effective EVs in diverse applications.
In addition, Averill says that partnering with organizations such as SALS will result in outreach, training and educational opportunities to residents to kick-start electric vehicle adoption and clean energy job opportunities where they are sorely needed.
The electric VW loaned to SALS was built in Chattanooga by an Appalachian work force that is represented by the United Auto Workers.
According to the release, SALS operates numerous vehicles as it offers food, clothing and affordable shelter programs for low-income families in Fayette and Raleigh counties and the Upper Kanawha Valley communities in Kanawha County.
John David, the SALS volunteer director, notes that fuel costs have become a major obstacle to providing needed services, and that electric vehicles are a viable alternative transportation option to be considered.
