Summary
- North Carolina received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand electric vehicle knowledge and charging stations at community colleges
- The grant is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law program created by the Biden administration
- 20 level 2 EV charging stations will be installed at 10 community colleges statewide, along with clean vehicle training courses for students
- State Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins expressed gratitude for the grant, emphasizing the importance of improving access to EV charging stations and educating the workforce on clean energy
- Durham and Kings Mountain also received grants for EV chargers in underserved areas, adding to the $109 million North Carolina has received in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds
Article
North Carolina has been awarded $1 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant. This grant, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to expand electric vehicle knowledge and charging stations at multiple community colleges across the state. The goal of the program is to develop a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations to make it easier for drivers to charge their EVs in convenient locations. The grant will fund the installation of 20 level 2 EV charging stations at 10 community colleges, as well as clean vehicle training courses to educate students on building, repairing, and maintaining electric vehicles and chargers.
State Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins expressed gratitude to federal partners for their support in pushing North Carolina towards a clean energy economy. The grant will not only improve access to EV charging stations, making more people comfortable with owning an electric vehicle, but it will also provide education and training for the workforce to sustain the clean energy transition. The grant funds will be distributed to community colleges such as Blue Ridge Community College, Central Carolina Community College, Gaston College, and more across the state. This grant adds to the $109 million North Carolina has already received in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds to develop an EV charging network along interstates, major highways, and in communities.
In addition to the community colleges receiving funding, Durham has also been awarded a community CFI grant to install EV chargers in underserved areas of the city. Kings Mountain received a community CFI grant totaling $822,737, and Durham received a corridor CFI grant totaling $4.8 million. These grants will help expand access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure in these communities, making it easier for residents to adopt electric vehicles and reduce emissions. This week, Durham received another Community CFI grant for EV chargers to be installed at five locations in underserved areas of the city, further advancing the city’s efforts towards clean energy.
The expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in North Carolina is seen as a key step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. By incentivizing the development of charging stations at community colleges and in underserved areas, the state is making electric vehicle ownership more accessible and promoting the transition to cleaner forms of transportation. With the support of federal grants like the CFI grant, North Carolina is able to continue its efforts towards a more sustainable future by investing in clean energy technologies and providing the necessary education and training to support these initiatives.
The CFI grant recipients, including community colleges and cities like Durham and Kings Mountain, are part of a larger effort to build a more comprehensive electric vehicle charging network in North Carolina. With support from federal partners, the state is able to expand access to charging infrastructure and provide clean vehicle training to students, ensuring that the workforce is prepared for the transition to electric vehicles. These grants not only benefit the environment by reducing emissions but also stimulate economic growth and innovation in the clean energy sector, creating new job opportunities and advancing North Carolina’s clean energy economy.
Overall, the CFI grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation represents a significant investment in North Carolina’s clean energy future. By expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure at community colleges and in underserved areas, the state is taking important steps towards a more sustainable transportation system. With continued support from federal partners and ongoing investment in clean energy initiatives, North Carolina is well-positioned to lead the way in promoting electric vehicle adoption and reducing emissions, ultimately contributing to a healthier environment and a more resilient economy for future generations.
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