Read original article at The Paris Post-Intelligencer.
From left, Rachel Steedly of the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, Bethany Edwards of the Paris Board of Public Utilities and LaShonda Williams of Lakeway Nutrition admire the electronics package on a Rivian R1S as it gets the first charge Friday morning at Eiffel Tower Park. The Rivian R1S is an electric SUV. Photo from The Paris Post-Intelligencer (view more photos now).
Henry County took a step into the future Friday as Eiffel Tower Park celebrated the first charge from its newly-installed electric vehicle chargers.
During a Friday morning ceremony at Eiffel Tower Park, Paris Mayor Kathy Ray plugged in a Rivian R1S sport utility vehicle to one of two Electric Vehicle, or EV, chargers that were installed last week at the park.
Those chargers are powered by renewable energy generated at a Silicon Ranch solar farm now operating near Puryear.
On hand for the first plug were representatives of Rivian, manufacturer of EV adventure vehicles; Clearloop, a Tennessee-based company dedicated to expanding access to clean energy; and Silicon Ranch’s parent company; officials with Paris Board of Public Utilities and local civic and government leaders.
Rivian is installing its chargers in each of the state’s 86 state parks. Another charging station will be installed at the Lodge at Paris Landing State Park, with another possibly set for the park’s marina
“These Rivian Waypoints work with any electric vehicle on the market today,” said Andrew Peterman, Rivian’s director of renewable energy.
In honor of the grand opening, charging at the Waypoints will be free during January.
Other speakers included Laura Zapata and Bob Corney, founders of Clearloop; Terry Wimberley, Paris Board of Public Utilities CEO and president; Justin Oliver, Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce President, and Ray.
The National Anthem was sung by the Henry County Madrigals.
Jan 23, 2023 by Glenn Tanner | Read original article at The Paris Post-Intelligencer.
