Duke Energy Proposes $76M Program for Electric Vehicles

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Duke Energy is proposing a $76 million initiative to spur electric vehicle (EV) adoption across North Carolina, marking what the electric power holding company says is the largest investment in EV infrastructure.

In a filing with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC), Duke Energy outlined its three-year electric transportation program that would help fund the operation of electric school buses and electric public transportation, and would lead to almost 2,500 new charging stations in the state, according to a news release from the company.

“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,” said Lang Reynolds, Duke Energy’s director of electrification strategy. “This initiative will help accelerate public and private EV use while also reducing carbon emissions.”

Currently, North Carolina has more than 10,000 plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles, and approximately 600 public charging stations, according to Duke Energy, and the new program would more than double that amount.

The proposed initiative, which requires NCUC approval, includes:

• EV School Bus Charging Stations: 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.

• 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, according to the company.

• Public Charging: Duke Energy will install and operate more than 800 public charging stations across North Carolina, including DC Fast Charging, Public Level II and multifamily locations.

• Fleet EV Charging: The 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 Transit Bus Charging Stations: Duke Energy will install and operate more than 100 electric transit bus charging stations for eligible transit agencies opting to procure electric buses. Electric transit buses eliminate diesel emissions and reduce fuel and maintenance costs for transit agencies, according to the company.

To read Duke Energy’s filing with the NCUC, go here.