First Tennessee Development District Charges Ahead with First-Ever Electric Vehicle Fleet and Charging Station

Lance Irwin, VP of Partnerships & Project Development at Seven States Power Corporation, assists as Chase Milner and Mike Harrison of First Tennessee Development District cut the ribbon for the new FTDD EV Fleet

Johnson City, Tenn. — The First Tennessee Development District (FTDD) is leading the region into a cleaner, more sustainable future for its staff and the public they serve. On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the FTDD hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of its first-ever fleet of four electric vehicles (EVs) and the installation of two EV charging stations at its Johnson City headquarters.

This milestone marks a significant step forward in advancing clean transportation and sustainable operations in the Appalachian Highlands. The project was made possible through a collaborative partnership among the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) EnergyRight® Program, Seven States Power Corporation, Tennessee Tech University’s Rural Reimagined initiative, and East Tennessee Clean Fuels’ EMPOWER workforce charging program.

Together, these partners assisted FTDD staff to pioneer a regional fleet model for integrating electric mobility, energy efficiency, and workforce development all the while serving rural Tennessee communities.

The FTDD’s new EV fleet includes the 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD, all acquired through Johnson City Ford. Boasting an EPA-estimated range of up to 320 miles per charge, the Mach-E delivers exceptional performance, zero tailpipe emissions, and lower operating costs, making it both a smart investment and a statement of environmental leadership.

The EV charging stations, installed with support from Tennessee Tech’s Rural Reimagined program and technical installation support through the Seven States Cooperative, will serve not only FTDD’s operational needs but will also demonstrate how small- to mid-sized organizations can successfully integrate EVs into their fleets. TVA’s EnergyRight report also contributed valuable research, helping to align FTDD’s budget with broader goals for sustainable rural development. Meanwhile, East Tennessee Clean Fuels’ EMPOWER program provided valuable workforce training and technical guidance to FTDD staff to ensure long-term success.

“This project represents more than a fleet upgrade—it’s an investment in the clean energy future of our region,” said Mike Harrison, Executive Director of the First Tennessee Development District. “By embracing electric vehicles, we are going to help protect our air quality, reduce our workforce’s carbon footprint, and ensure our employees will have access to safe, efficient, and frankly good-looking transportation. We are proud to stand alongside our partners in demonstrating environmental stewardship and workforce innovation that benefits our access to communities.”

TVA’s EnergyRight® program and the Seven States Cooperative have been instrumental in expanding electric mobility across the Tennessee Valley, helping organizations like the FTDD take practical steps toward reducing energy costs and emissions.

Tennessee Tech’s Rural Reimagined program, a U.S. Department of Energy supported grant,   supports the research and applied projects that improve quality of life in rural areas, while East Tennessee Clean Fuels’ EMPOWER workforce initiative is training the next generation of professionals to build and maintain electric vehicle infrastructure throughout the region.

[Rural Reimagined: Building an EV Ecosystem and Green Economy for Transforming Lives in Economically Distressed Appalachia, DE-FOA-0002475: Topic Area 1: Electric Vehicle Charging Community Partner Projects Control Number: 2475-1693]

Media Contact: Misty Willison, mwillison@ftdd.org

Website: www.ftdd.org