Tennessee targets 750,000 EVs by 2035 in updated strategy

Tennessee has updated its electric vehicle strategy with a concrete new target: 750,000 light-duty electric vehicles registered in the state by 2035. The move signals a significant shift for a traditionally auto-industry-heavy Southern state, reflecting growing momentum for EV adoption even outside the coastal markets that have historically led the charge.

Central to the plan is the expansion of the EV charging network, which officials recognize as a prerequisite for mass adoption. Tennessee is home to major automotive manufacturing facilities, including Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant — which has already pivoted toward EV production — giving the state both industrial incentive and unique leverage in the EV transition.

The updated strategy also places emphasis on equitable access, aiming to bring electric mobility to rural communities and lower-income households that are often left behind in early EV rollouts. This inclusive framing mirrors approaches increasingly seen in EU member states, where regulators are pressing for EV infrastructure in underserved regions alongside urban hubs.

Tennessee's 2035 deadline aligns broadly with EU targets phasing out new internal combustion engine passenger cars, suggesting a convergence of ambition across major global markets. For international investors and charging infrastructure developers, the state's updated roadmap represents a clear signal of policy commitment in a strategically important U.S. region.