Rural Reimagined Building AN EV ECOSYSTEM FOR APALACHIA
The Appalachian region has long provided natural resources that have powered the nation’s prosperity. The region now is experiencing hardships related to the changes in how society generates and uses electricity. The electrification of transportation provides real opportunities for addressing those hardships. Rural Reimagined will demonstrate those opportunities across Appalachia in five states, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. To learn more about the project, please visit rural-reimagined.com
BORROW AN EV FOR FREE!
If you’re a West Virginian with valid driver’s licenses and insurance, you may qualify to borrow an EV for free under the Rural Reimagined project. Options include the VW ID4, Chevy Bolt, and Ford Lightning F150.
Project Goal
The objective of this DOE-funded 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. This 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, by partnering with a broad set of EV stakeholders, this project aims to create outreach, training and education opportunities to residents in rural and low-income Appalachian communities to kick-start electric vehicle adoption and clean-energy job opportunities where it is needed most.
NAFTC’s ROLE
The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) at the West Virginia University Energy Institute will develop and disseminate a safety-focused EV training program to develop the auto and diesel technician workforce in Appalachia that will be required to support the adoption of EVs. NAFTC will implement its proven train-the-trainer approach to disseminate the training. Four NAFTC member community and technical colleges with ties to Appalachia will develop the educational materials. NAFTC’s existing EV materials will form the basis for the curriculum development. Materials will include textbooks, workbooks, PowerPoint slides, tests, and aids such as videos. The curriculum will be designed to allow its use in traditional college programs as well as for workshops for in-service technicians. The training will be rolled out to community and technical colleges throughout the region. Tennessee Tech is leading the overall effort. For more information, please visit the Tennessee Tech website for more information
Project Team
The project team includes dozens of partners spanning U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities coalitions, EV charging suppliers and service providers, EV manufacturers, rural transit agencies, academic institutions, and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors.
Rural Reimagined Ribbon Cutting Event
Celebrating a first of its kind in West Virginia, the Fairmont-Marion County Transit Authority held a ribbon cutting featuring FMCTA’s newest fleet vehicle, a brand-new Ford E-Transit electric bus. FMCTA will be gathering data during its field demonstration of EVs as part of the Rural Reimagined project. FMCTA’s fleet also includes a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Funds to purchase the EVs were provided by the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Rural Reimagined project with matching funds from FMCTA.
PRESS & MEDIA
NAFTC Director Trina Wafle’s video kick-off the event: Let’s Celebrate By: NAFTC
First WV Public Transit Electric Van by: Trevelyn Hall
IT’S TIME TO ADAPT! By: The Fairmont Times West Virginian
