Partnering with UTK, KUB on Electric Vehicle ChargePoint Station on Campus
November 2, 2021

Faculty, staff, students, and visitors commuting to the east part of campus now have a new option for charging their electric vehicles, thanks to a partnership between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville,  Seven States Power Corporation , and  Knoxville Utilities Board  (KUB).

The ChargePoint station is located in the Staff 7 lot across from the Wayne G. Basler Boathouse, and features a single unit with two charging ports. That location was chosen after students in UT’s  Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program  (Heath IBEP) evaluated potential sites based off of a variety of factors.

Heath IBEP students—who come from the  Haslam College of Business  and Tickle College of Engineering—will use relevant skills learned through the program to address whether current chargers need to be upgraded or replaced with smart chargers, monitor and give feedback on revenue as needed, and provide other educational opportunities.

Charging at the location will be available for a fee of $1 per hour for the first four hours, with the rate increasing to $2 per hour after that.

“Our program encourages students to come together and solve issues by approaching them from both a business and an engineering aspect,” said Mary Pile, who was Heath IBEP director at the time of the project. “This undertaking is the culmination of work that began last year when we got together with Seven States and KUB, but it doesn’t end with this installation. Moving forward, the goal is to help develop an overall campus plan regarding electric vehicle chargers that can be used for years to come.”

To put the fees in perspective, the cost to charge a vehicle at the station equates to between two-to-three cents per mile, compared to between 12-14 cents per mile for an average gas engine.

For Seven States, the addition is the latest sign of growth for the company, which now has more than 100 installations across the Tennessee Valley in less than three years.

“We could not be more excited to work with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and KUB on this installation,”  said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation.  “It is the latest example of the power of partnerships as we continue our work to build out electric vehicle infrastructure across the Tennessee Valley. We appreciate KUB, campus leadership, and the students involved in making this a reality.”

KUB, which provides public utilities to Knox County and parts of seven surrounding counties, helps promote electric vehicle use through its EV Charger Rebate Program, adoption of TVAs EV charger wholesale rate, and more.

“We’re proud to support the adoption of EVs throughout our service territory,” said KUB President and CEO Gabriel Bolas. “Partners like the University of Tennessee, TVA, and Seven States make our work toward a more sustainable future even easier, and we’re thrilled to see a new public charging station installed on campus.”

The site is the 24th EV charger installation on campus, but the only networked charger that offers the university real-time data for analysis, including evaluating the potential need for expansion to other locations.

< Older Post

 Newer Post >

Driving Electric in Tennessee Just Got Easier

By Jessica Bradshaw • October 27, 2025
Cleveland Utilities connects Cleveland to Fast Charge TN and regional Fast Charge Network

Seven States Power Corporation and Sevier County Electric System Unveil 14 EV Charging Ports at Dollywood

By Jessica Bradshaw • October 3, 2025
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — October 3, 2025 — Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States), in partnership with Sevier County Electric System (SCES), and Dollywood is proud to announce the ribbon cutting and official unveiling of 7 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with 14 charging ports, and 10 solar-powered umbrella charging units at Dollywood, one of the nation’s leading theme park destinations. The new EV charging stations mark another exciting step forward in advancing transportation infrastructure to support the growing demand for electric vehicles in East Tennessee. Designed, developed, and deployed by Seven States, the project reflects a commitment to innovation, community partnership, and serving Dollywood guests. The ten solar-powered umbrellas will be installed in the Country Fair area, providing guests with a convenient place to charge their devices while they enjoy watching ride goers from the comfort of the shade. “Dollywood is a treasured landmark for families and visitors from across the country,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States. “We are honored to partner with SCES and Dollywood to deliver technology that adds convenience for guests while enhancing innovation in the region.” The addition of the charging stations and umbrellas highlight the shared vision of Seven States Power and SCES to expand access to energy solutions across the region. SCES provides electric power to more than 61,000 customers across Sevier County, Tennessee. As a locally owned public power utility, SCES has served the community for over 80 years with a focus on reliability, affordability, customer service, and innovation. “These projects represent our commitment to supporting innovation to meet the needs of our community. By working together, we’re helping ensure that both residents and visitors have access to the energy solutions of tomorrow, right here in Sevier County," said Allen Robbins, CEO of SCES. The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates not only the completion of these projects, but also the growing collaboration between local utilities, community partners, and attractions to create a more modern energy future for Tennessee. “This partnership with Seven States and Sevier County Electric highlights the importance of regional collaboration to build infrastructure that supports both the local community and the millions of visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains each year. By investing in this technology, we are helping pave the way for a more sustainable future, while reinforcing our role as a leader in both the tourism industry and the community we call home," said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “These investments further enhance our guest experience by providing services to help meet two emerging needs of those who visit.”  The charging stations will be available for use to patrons in the Preferred Parking Lot of Dollywood Theme Park beginning October 6, 2025 while the umbrellas are available for use immediately.

Kendall Bear

By Jessica Bradshaw • September 29, 2025
With his extensive experience in the industry, Kendall Bear’s leadership as General Manager of Rockwood Electric Utility has given him the opportunity to ensure his community is prepared for the future. “Although we’ve had many of the following systems implemented for a few years now, looking back, I would say that building a fiber network between our main office and our substations has been beneficial in a variety of ways for Rockwood Electric. This opened the door for additional technology developments such as AMI, SCADA, distribution automation, Dispatchable Voltage Regulation, a 900 Mhz radio system, and a Meter Data Management System. Implementing a GIS system was extremely valuable as well, as we are now able to export that information to other systems such as Outage Management. We have a business and customer portal from CSA that is used extensively by our employees and customers—everyone really benefits from it.” Kendall knows his LPC is responsible for both the present and future of his community’s needs, and he wants his community to know that he is always looking for ways to better their lives. “We are working very hard to provide a reliable power supply to all our customers and using these different technologies helps us manage the power system. We want to be able to provide real-time information to our customers; something they would not normally have access to without these technologies. I would also want our community to know that we are their ‘trusted energy advisor’ and every employee at Rockwood Electric is committed to helping them make good decisions about the power they use.” With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Kendall encourages fellow leaders to make a strategic plan and collaborate with their peers.  “The possibilities for innovation are almost endless, and there are a variety of products that are offered by many vendors. It is more than a little overwhelming! I would encourage a new GM to develop a strategic plan if the utility doesn’t already have one that is up-to-date. This may involve getting input from the many stakeholders in the community. After prioritizing your goals, get to work. Finally, I would tell a new GM to talk to his or her peers and colleagues a LOT. They will tell you what they have done that has been a colossal flop so you’ll know to avoid it, or they will tell you what they have been successful with. I guarantee every manager will share their story if you ask.”
Show More