Duke Energy has pledged to convert most of its current 10,000-vehicle fleet to electric or another zero-carbon alternative in the next 10 years. With approximately 600 electric vehicles (EVs) already in its fleet, the utility says it will continue to pursue electrification as more EV options become available.
“We’ve set a goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from electric generation by 2050. But beyond how we generate power, we’re looking at other ways to transform our business to reduce emissions,” says Lynn Good, chair, president and CEO of Duke Energy. “EVs are an important part of that strategy. With our new pledge, we’re committed to transitioning our fleet and spurring adoption within our communities.”
More specifically, Duke Energy’s pledge is to convert 100% of its nearly 4,000 light-duty vehicles to electric and 50% of its approximately 6,000 combined fleet of medium-duty, heavy-duty and off-road vehicles to EVs, plug-in hybrids or other zero-carbon alternatives as more of these options become available.
Benefits of EVs include reduced emissions, better performance, less noise and fewer expenses. Customers interested in purchasing an EV can estimate their savings by visiting the Duke Energy fuel savings calculator. Duke Energy has installed 500 charging stations, which have been used more than 13,000 times since the program launched in late 2018. Approximately 15% of these charging stations have been installed in income-qualified communities.
Like its program in Florida, Duke Energy has applied for pilot programs in the Carolinas and Ohio, pending commission approvals. The active program in Florida and the proposed pilot programs in the Carolinas and Ohio will add approximately 5,700 EV chargers to Duke Energy’s service areas, including about 2,200 residential EV chargers.
The project has been consistently ahead of schedule and under budget, proving utility programs can effectively and efficiently deploy needed EV charging infrastructure, notes the company.