As a result of state incentives and companies like BMW in the Upstate and Scout Motors in the Midlands, South Carolina electric vehicle and battery manufacturing is ramping up.
But does the state have the infrastructure to support it?
Starting Monday, April 22, in Columbia and Florence, the state Department of Transportation will kick off 20 open house meetings for the public to hear about the state's efforts to increase EV charging infrastructure — without can be a top barrier when drivers are switching to electric cars.
The meetings are part of the state's SC+EV initiative.
A DOT press release said the initiative "will position South Carolina for the future of electrified mobility through the creation of a reliable and accessible statewide network of EV charging infrastructure."
In-person public open houses are scheduled for:
April 22: Columbia, Florence
April 23: Charleston, Newberry
April 24: Greenville, Ridgeland
April 25: Aiken, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Spartanburg
April 29: Pickens
April 30: Greenwood
May 1: Kershaw
May 6: Beaufort
May 7: Walterboro
May 8: Bamberg
May 13: Sumter
May 14: Kingstree
May 15: Georgetown
May 16: Myrtle Beach
The transportation department will also hold three stakeholder meetings in the state. The public can hear from utility providers, potential host sites, producers and suppliers:
April 22: Columbia
April 23: Charleston
April 24: Greenville
More stakeholder meetings and times and locations of each public open house can be found at southcarolina-ev.com. Public comments can also be submitted via email at connect@southcarolina-ev.com, or by mail to DOT at 1201 Main St. Suite 800, Columbia, SC 29201.
