Duke Energy has proposed a $76 million initiative to spur electric vehicle (EV) adoption across North Carolina.
In a filing with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC), the utility outlined a program that will provide incentives to customers and lead to a statewide network of fast-charging stations to meet growing demand. The three-year program requires NCUC approval.
“North Carolina deserves a cleaner and smarter energy future, and supporting the use of electric transportation is a Duke Energy priority that will benefit our communities, customers and our state’s future,” says Lang Reynolds, director of Duke Energy’s electrification strategy. “This initiative will help accelerate public and private EV use while also reducing carbon emissions.”
Duke Energy’s proposal will help fund the adoption of electric school buses and public transportation. The utility expects the program to lead to almost 2,500 new charging stations in the state. Currently, North Carolina has more than 10,000 plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles and approximately 600 public charging stations, says Duke Energy.
The proposed initiative before the NCUC has several components:
Residential EV Charging: This program will provide a $1,000 rebate for qualifying Level II charging stations for up to 800 residential customers. Level II charging allows customers to charge their EVs up to six times faster than a standard wall outlet.
Public Charging: Duke Energy will install and operate more than 800 public charging stations across North Carolina, including DC fast-charging and public Level II and multifamily locations.
Fleet EV Charging: This program will provide a $2,500 rebate for 900 qualifying charging stations for commercial and industrial customers who operate fleets that are transitioning to electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Municipalities and universities also qualify for these rebates.
EV School Bus Charging Station: Duke Energy will provide financial support to eligible customers to procure up to 85 electric school buses. Duke Energy will install the associated charging infrastructure.
EV Transit Bus Charging Station: Duke Energy will install and operate more than 100 electric transit bus charging stations for eligible transit agencies electing to procure electric buses.
The program follows a similar Duke Energy program being considered by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina.