MLGW is supporting the Electric Vehicle EVolution!

Considering an electric vehicle?  Federal tax incentives will end 9/30/2025 for new and used vehicle purchases, plus leases.  See more in the sections below. 

The electric vehicle (EV) industry has experienced numerous starts, when it seemed that EVs were on the brink of becoming significant players in the transportation market, only to have consumer and manufacturer interest wane. Even with shifts in Congressional support for tax incentives, now is the time to learn more about electric vehicle options to consider for your next automotive purchase or lease

As of 3/31/2025, there were 6,406 electric vehicles (battery as well as plug-in electric hybrids) registered in Shelby County, which is a 40% increase in the last 12 months. Auto manufacturers — especially in the light-duty car, truck and SUV segment — have announced massive investments to re-tool or build new factories to increase the number and variety of EVs available. With numerous models today and scores more in development, EV options include compact cars, mid-size sedans, luxury sports cars, nimble crossovers, spacious SUVs and equipped pick-ups.

While the leading EV brand makes up 52% of local EV registrations, Shelby Countians have purchased models from 39 different brands, so you’ll see a variety of electric vehicles on local roadways. New and used EVs are available at price points to meet a wide range of buyer budgets. These are all signs that EVs have arrived as major players in the automotive market, with sales expected to skyrocket this decade.
 

Members of Drive Electric TN (DET) — an organization that includes the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), TVA , numerous utility companies (including MLGW), universities, auto manufacturers, EV charging companies, EV enthusiasts and others interested in the EV field — have joined together with the common goal of reaching 200,000 EVs on Tennessee roads by 2028 .  (The ambitious goal was created in 2018 when 5,000 EVs were registered in Tennessee; there are 55,999 EVs registered in the state as of 3/31/2025.)

To achieve that goal, DET members are focusing on initial obstacles such as consumer awareness of EV benefits and charging infrastructure availability.  The following bullets summarize key activities by MLGW, TVA, DET and other organizations.
 

EV Awareness 

• MLGW is educating customers about EVs through this webpage, other website content and various public presentations. 
  • Plugging into Electric Vehicles, a 90-minute recording of the virtual customer meeting held 8/26/2021.
  • Community Forum about EV Charging, an event on 5/24/2023 which included presentations, brainstorming about potential locations for future Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers, and a Ride & Drive event with multiple crossover vehicles, a sedan and a pick-up truck. 
  • Driving EV Leadership, a workshop for fleet operators on 5/25/2023, which included presentations followed by an EV Auto Show featuring an electric Class 8 tractor and two electric step vans (package delivery vehicles), plus pick-up trucks, crossover vehicles and sedans. Thanks to all the dealers, TVA and others who provided EVs!
  • Electric Vehicles and Fleets  section of Business Energy Advisor, focuses on fleets but contains links to great resources that can help all vehicle owners evaluate the benefits of EVs before making their next vehicle purchase.
     
• MLGW partners with TVA and other local power companies across the Tennessee Valley to offer the EnergyRight  program, which features EV information as well as incentives for qualified energy efficiency improvements at your home or business. With great graphics, the EV section  offers easy-to-understand information on electric vehicle purchase, maintenance, charging and more.  Check out the new Driving EVolution blog , featuring short, informative posts with links to help you learn more about how an EV can fit into your lifestyle.

 

• TVA filmed a great video series, In Charge:  Life with an Electric Vehicle, with drivers demonstrating the speed and agility of today’s EVs while discussing cost savings, cargo capacity, charging and other features that make EVs not only cool technology but viable options for your next vehicle purchase. Look for some familiar locations in the Memphis/West Tennessee episode filmed in 2022.
  
   
• Tennessee has a Drive Electric license plate with a portion of proceeds supporting DET's work.  Look for the specialty plate option when it's time to renew your vehicle registration, regardless of the vehicle you drive today.
   
• MLGW worked with local EV owners and enthusiasts to create the Drive Electric Memphis chapter to increase awareness through communications and events, including future Ride and Drive opportunities.   We have a quick monthly call and host events at least quarterly.   Email DriveElectricMemphis@gmail.com to learn about chapter activities and help plan or participate in upcoming events.  

• MLGW is assisting fleet owners in planning for EV fleet adoption, including sharing available grant opportunities, handling new service requests to accommodate onsite EV charging infrastructure and evaluating companies’ long-term plans to ensure the electric system will be ready to support their future electric loads.
   
• Federal tax credits for the purchase of qualified new and used electric vehicles, passed under the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, will be eliminated after 9/30/2025 as part of the budget reconciliation bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025.  Tax incentives for EV leases, which fall under the Commercial Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, will end 9/30/2025 as well.  Until then you may qualify for incentives, if you meet criteria Details vary so check the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, read updated information like this Kiplinger article and PlugInAmerica website  and 7/16/2025 presentation—and be sure to consult your tax advisor.
  • Credits for New Electric Vehicles Purchased in 2023 and after
  • Used Clean Vehicle Credit
  • Commercial Clean Vehicle Tax Credit

 

• Federal tax credits for EV charging infrastructure implemented under the Inflation Reduction Act also have changed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  Those incentives now end 6/30/2026, provided you meet eligibility criteria.  Details vary so check the IRS website, read updated information like this Kiplinger article and be sure to consult your tax advisor.
  • Corporate Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit
  • Personal Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit

 

EV Charging Infrastructure

• MLGW has been involved in public-access EV charging for over a decade. MLGW hosts a public-access Level 2 charger on the second floor of its Beale Street Landing parking garage, located at the corner of South Front Street and Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Avenue; helped Shelby Farms Park install Level 2 chargers in 2012 through a grant from TVA and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI); and assisted dozens of businesses in installing Level 2 chargers during the federally funded EV Project.
   
• MLGW is helping companies site Level 2 and DC Fast Chargers for public-access charging. Although an estimated 80% of personal EV charging occurs at home (often by connecting the Level 1 charging cable that came with the vehicle to an existing 120-volt outlet in garage or carport), there are more than 298 public-access charging sites in Shelby County—which is more than double the number in April 2021. You can find charging locations on numerous websites such as PlugShare , ChargeHub and EnergyRight  as well as with mobile apps, many mapping websites — and the onboard display in most EVs. In terms of fast chargers (DC Fast Chargers or Tesla Superchargers) there are now 60 in Shelby County—or 1 per 107 EVs registered locally. 
   
• MLGW offers access to Level 2 charging equipment ratings and retailers through the EnergyRight Marketplace.  Models have Enervee efficiency scores ranging from 71 to 100, so you can evaluate energy efficiency along with other factors if looking to install Level 2 equipment for faster charging at home or work.
   
• MLGW assisted local school districts who sought funding from the EPA Clean School Bus Program to add electric buses and other low-emission models to their fleets or the fleets of transportation vendors.  Memphis Shelby County Schools was awarded $6.7 million in the first round to fund 17 electric school buses and associated bus charging.  Watch for news in second half of 2025.
   
• MLGW joined DET partners in creating the Multifamily EV Charging Infrastructure Guide to help property developers, owners and managers understand the benefits and options for installing EV chargers in their communities.
   
• TDEC and TVA announced grants available to local electric utilities to create the Fast Charge TN Network, with public-access DC Fast Chargers located at least every 50 miles along interstates and major highway across the state.   TDEC awarded MLGW funding to install, own and operate DC Fast Chargers at two locations in Shelby County—filling gaps in the I-40/I-69 corridor (downtown/medical center) and the I-269 corridor in Collierville. MLGW is developing plans for both sites, where equipment will be installed in 2026.
   

Interested in Transportation Tips of the Week? The U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office studies topics related to transportation energy use and published a weekly fact through 2024, often related to EVs.  See examples below that answer common EV-related questions and click here to find more.