Memphis-based auto dealership management company YK Auto Group's Chuck Hutton Toyota recently opened its Electri-CITY Park, marking a significant advancement in sustainable infrastructure and customer experience. The Earth Day event also honored Young Kim’s 25th anniversary as dealer principal and recognized Chuck Hutton Toyota as a Bronze Award recipient in Toyota’s Dealership Environmental Excellence Program, or DEEP.
Designed primarily as an electric-vehicle charging station, Electri-CITY Park is designed to redefine the charging experience by providing the same level of convenience traditionally found at gas stations. Recognizing that EV drivers should have access to high-quality amenities while they recharge, Kim developed a space where visitors can refuel themselves as they refuel their vehicles. The newly completed first phase of the project includes EV charging stations, a dog park, modern restrooms, TVs, lounge areas, and work cubicles, providing a welcoming environment for drivers, remote workers, and families alike.
"Electri-CITY Park is about creating a space where people feel comfortable stopping," said Kim, YK Auto Group owner and Chuck Hutton Toyota dealer principal. "As EV adoption grows, it’s important to provide an experience that makes charging as seamless and convenient as filling up a gas tank."
As part of its commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality, Chuck Hutton Toyota is completely off-grid and powered by an on-site solar farm designed and installed by Freedom Solar Power. The state-of-the-art installation powers both the dealership and the EV charging stations, reducing the facility’s carbon footprint while providing customers with clean, renewable energy. With real-time monitoring of solar generation and electricity offset, Chuck Hutton Toyota's operations remain efficient and environmentally responsible.
The second phase of Electri-CITY Park will introduce a multisport field designed for soccer and football, further expanding the space’s role as a community hub. The field will be available for rent, providing youth teams with additional recreational opportunities.
DEEP is a voluntary program designed to help dealerships reduce energy and water use, waste and operational costs. The initiative aligns with Toyota’s Challenge 2050 goal of achieving carbon neutrality across its global operations.
"Young Kim is using Chuck Hutton Toyota to demonstrate what it means to be an environmentally responsible dealership," said Erin Reinker, dealer facilities operations manager at Toyota Motor North America. "This investment in EV infrastructure and renewable energy showcases how businesses can embrace sustainability while improving customer experience."
The ChargePoint Express Plus system installed at Electri-CITY Park represents the largest public charging hub of its kind in the nation, according to the auto group. Chuck Hutton Toyota’s ongoing collaboration with Toyota Motor North America, Freedom Solar, and ChargePoint highlights a shared commitment to advancing clean energy initiatives.
