CARRBORO, N.C. -- We’re celebrating Carrboro's first new electric vehicle (EV) DC fast-charging station! It’s located at Carrboro Plaza, 104 NC Highway 54, Carrboro, NC 27510.
Our continued support of electric vehicles is part of the Brighter Future initiative, a pledge made by all of North Carolina’s 26 electric co-ops to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 50 percent by 2030 and have net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Piedmont Electric Cooperative was awarded funding from Phase 1 of the NC Department of Environment Quality Volkswagen Settlement to install Carrboro’s first DC Fast-Charging station at Carrboro Plaza. The Town of Carrboro contributed funding to Piedmont’s match for the grant, as the project aligns with goals to reduce community transportation emissions in the Community Climate Action Plan.
DC fast charging is essential for high mileage/long distance driving and large fleets. The quick turnaround enables drivers to recharge during their day or on a small break as opposed to being plugged in overnight, or for many hours, for a full charge.
This station joins a growing network of electric vehicle charging stations in Carrboro. A Level 2 charging station is currently located at Carrboro Town Hall. Two stations are being installed in the Carrboro’s Rosemary Street Parking Lot and at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, which will be operational by Spring 2022.
Piedmont Electric Cooperative unveils new electric vehicle charging station in Carrboro
Carrboro, N.C. (Nov. 12, 2021) - This past week, Piedmont Electric Cooperative unveiled a new electric vehicle (EV) DC fast-charging station at the Carrboro Plaza. North Carolina's electric cooperatives, including Piedmont Electric, are working to create a statewide network of EV charging stations, enabling the increased adoption of EV technology. DC fast-chargers provide the quickest charge available and can charge a depleted electric vehicle’s battery to 80 percent capacity in less than 30 minutes.
Cooperatives primarily serve members in rural locations, and their expanding charging network fills gaps in charging infrastructure in rural and tourist-visited areas, creating environmental and economic benefits for communities.
“This charging station will help increase local commerce, reduce emissions and bring the benefits of driving electric to our community,” said Steve Hamlin, president and general manager of Piedmont Electric. “Our members are increasingly interested in the convenience, cost savings and environmental advantage of electric vehicles, and we are proud to support expansion of this technology by securing funding for this local project.”
Piedmont Electric applied for and was awarded a grant to fund the chargers as part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency settlement with Volkswagen. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality awarded eight North Carolina electric cooperatives, including Piedmont Electric, approximately $700,000 in VW settlement funding to install high-speed EV charging stations in rural and suburban communities throughout the state. Additional funding and support were provided by the Town of Carrboro to ensure this project’s success.
“This is the first fast charger in our service area and we have also begun construction on our second DC fast-charging station in Mebane,” Hamlin said. “We’re happy to see this come here to Carrboro, we expect this charger to be very popular as there are no other high speed chargers in this area.”
The NC electric co-ops’ charging network has now expanded to nearly 70 charging stations, with more than 100 charging ports across the state. To learn more about our EV charging network and how Piedmont Electric supports members in accessing the benefits of EVs, including rebates and special rates, visit NCDriveElectric.com/piedmont-electric.
Piedmont Electric is a local, member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 33,000 electric accounts in Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville, Orange and Person counties. Piedmont Electric exists to serve our members and improve the quality of life in our communities through local employment, economic development, business engagement, youth education, grants to educators, advocacy for energy issues, community involvement and emergency preparedness support. Visit www.pemc.coop for more information.