Fort Eisenhower to Get Electric Vehicle Charging Bays

A fleet of plug-in electric vehicles sits ready to roll at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, Calif., on Oct. 31, 2014. The new fleet is the first installation in the Department of Defense to replace its entire non-tactical fleet with electric and hybrid vehicles. The electric vehicles will charge directly from the local utility grid enabling Los Angeles AFB personnel to utilize the electric vehicles as transportation within the base. When called-upon, and when connected to the electric vehicle, the bi-directional charging station will switch power flow directions in order to support vehicle-to-grid energy request by discharging the electric vehicle’s onboard battery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sarah Corrice/RELEASED.)A fleet of plug-in electric vehicles sits ready to roll at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, Calif., on Oct. 31, 2014. The new fleet is the first installation in the Department of Defense to replace its entire non-tactical fleet with electric and hybrid vehicles. The electric vehicles will charge directly from the local utility grid enabling Los Angeles AFB personnel to utilize the electric vehicles as transportation within the base. When called-upon, and when connected to the electric vehicle, the bi-directional charging station will switch power flow directions in order to support vehicle-to-grid energy request by discharging the electric vehicle’s onboard battery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sarah Corrice/RELEASED.)

A fleet of plug-in electric vehicles lined up at a charging station. Photo: Sarah Corrice/US Air Force

The US Army has signed a $1.6-million contract with Southern Company to establish electric vehicle charging stations at Fort Eisenhower in Georgia.

The first phase will prepare 14 locations with essential infrastructure across the site to support electric vehicle replenishment.

Work for the construction will be led by company segment Georgia Power and commence this year.

Preparing for Electric Vehicle Fleet

The Eisenhower investment is part of a larger utility privatization contract with the US Army, under which Georgia Power will be the owner.

The project will address Eisenhower’s future energy requirements while reducing the site’s carbon footprint, Southern Company wrote.

It will see the company integrate, sustain, and manage the installation’s electric vehicle technologies and associated charging programs.

“We are extremely happy to be partnering with Georgia Power for this project,” US Army Garrison Eisenhower Commander Col. Reginald Evans stated.

“Building the electric vehicle infrastructure now allows Fort Eisenhower to get chargers in place ahead of government [electric vehicle] fleet growth expected in the near future.”

Airmen from Los Angeles Air Force Base learn how to use charging equipment for the base's new Electric Vehicle Fleet during a training demo in El Segundo, Calif., on Oct. 31, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sarah Corrice/RELEASED.)Airmen from Los Angeles Air Force Base learn how to use charging equipment for the base's new Electric Vehicle Fleet during a training demo in El Segundo, Calif., on Oct. 31, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sarah Corrice/RELEASED.)
Charging equipment for Electric Vehicle Fleet. Photo: Sarah Corrice/US Air Force

Supporting US Decarbonization Efforts

Once completed, the project will meet the charging demands of assigned and visiting mobile assets throughout Fort Eisenhower.

The charging bays will also help reduce the installation’s greenhouse gas emissions and overall reliance on traditional fuel sources, further supporting the US Department of Defense’s installation efficiency policies outlined in Executive Order 14057.

“This initiative reflects the shared commitment of Georgia Power and Fort Eisenhower to invest in resilient electric grid enhancements that facilitate sustainable energy solutions,” Southern Company Executive Vice President Chris Cummiskey said.

“We’re honored to partner with Fort Eisenhower and are confident the infrastructure put in place today will benefit the installation well into the future.”

Related Posts