North Carolina will be able to expand its electric vehicle charging network to 10 community colleges and better train the next generation of students on clean vehicle technologies, thanks to a $1 million Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Southeastern Community College was one of the first schools to install an EV charging station earlier this year. SCC partnered with Duke Progress Energy to install the facility.
The N.C. Department of Transportation received the grant award this week, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It advances the USDOT’s effort to develop a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations so drivers can charge EVs in areas convenient to where they live or work and close to the state’s major thoroughfares.
“We’re grateful to our federal partners for their continued support of North Carolina’s push for a clean energy economy,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “This grant not only improves access to convenient and reliable EV charging stations so more people will feel comfortable owning an electric vehicle. It also takes an important step to ensure our workforce has the education, knowledge and skills needed to sustain the clean energy transition.”
The $1 million grant will pay to install 20 Level 2 EV charging stations at 10 community colleges statewide. Level 2 chargers take between 4 hours and 8 hours to charge a vehicle. Participating community colleges also will be able to add clean vehicle training courses that teach students how to build and repair electric vehicles and install, maintain and operate EV chargers.
The grant funds will go toward the following community colleges:
- Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock
- Central Carolina Community College in Sanford
- Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Gaston College in Dallas
- Martin Community College in Williamston
- Nash Community College in Rocky Mount
- Randolph Community College in Asheboro
- Roanoke-Chowan Community College in Ahoskie
- Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh
The CFI grant adds to the $109 million North Carolina has already received in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds. State officials are using the $109 million in NEVI funds to develop an EV charging network along interstates, major highways and in communities.
Durham also received a Community CFI grant this week for EV chargers to be installed at five locations in underserved areas of the city. Previously, Durham received a Corridor CFI grant for $4.8 million. Kings Mountain was also awarded a Community CFI grant for $822,737.
Visit the USDOT’s webpage for a full list of CFI grant recipients.
