Search

CARTA Recognized for Electric Vehicle Project by Smart Cities Connect


Chattanooga, TN – Feb 15, 2018 – The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is one of two Chattanooga-based entities to receive accolades in this year’s Smart 50 Awards, which recognize smart cities projects from around the world. CARTA received its Smart 50 Award for its innovative electric vehicle charging and car share project. The Smart 50 Awards are a partnership of Smart Cities Connect, Smart Cities Connect Foundation, and US Ignite to honor the most innovative and influential work in this arena.

CARTA, as the public transportation agency and leader in electric vehicle deployment, developed the Solar Assisted Electric Vehicle Charging and Car Share Project in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, Green Commuter, Prova Group, EPB, and the City of Chattanooga. A new network of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure was deployed across the community to promote transportation choice through integration with traditional transit, Electric Shuttle operations, the Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System, and public parking infrastructure.

“Our over 30 years of experience with electric vehicles made this project a perfect fit,” said Lisa Maragnano, CARTA Executive Director. “Providing the public with the right tools for the right trip is what CARTA is about, now and in the future. Bike, bus, drive, or park, CARTA is there.”

With the construction of 80kW of solar energy production and related power provider agreements, a compensatory amount of clean energy is provided to the electric grid to match vehicle energy use.  So far CARTA has installed 64 electric vehicle charging ports across 22 site locations promoting electric vehicle charging access at no cost to the user.  CARTA selected Green Commuter, a California-based benefit corporation, to introduce 20 Nissan LEAF all-electric vehicles as part of a new car share program, with vehicles accessible by the hour or day through smart phone technology.  This unique ownership model of the electric vehicle supply equipment by CARTA provides for continued maintenance and connectivity of the charging network through revenues produced by solar energy production.

Other Topics

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Small Business Awards sheds a light on local companies that serve as examples of excellence within our community and help us build a thriving Chattanooga. This week, we announced our winners at the…

When people hear the news – Melody Shekari was named the new head of the Women's Fund of Greater Chattanooga – they often say the same thing:  She's a perfect fit.  "A lot of people say it fits who I…

On April 18, Fleurette Fitch – a 21-year employee of Shaw Industries – was honored at a Washington DC gala for her outstanding manufacturing career. That evening, the Manufacturing Institute recognized Fitch as a Women MAKE Award honoree for her…

When I was a child, there was no internet. We all had access to the same information which came from the same place: our libraries. These precious community resources were available, accessible and inclusive for all.   Today, accessibility to knowledge…

For more than a decade, Sybil McLain-Topel contributed in immeasurable ways to the creative and economic landscape of Chattanooga. As a gifted writer, she was hugely supportive of our artistic community. As a devoted Chamber of Commerce executive, she spent…

In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, navigating the path to success requires more than just a visionary idea and entrepreneurial spirit. The one key element often overlooked?   A well-crafted business plan.   Integral to sustained growth and prosperity, a strategic business…

Sign up for weekly updates.