North Carolina Boosts EV Charging Network With $5.92 Million In Grants

North Carolina is expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure by awarding $5.92 million in grants to six companies. As part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program, this will support the installation of DC fast chargers at nine locations across the state, primarily in rural areas and small towns.

In detail, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) received a total of $109 million from the federal NEVI program, established through the infrastructure bill passed in late 2021. This initial round of funding marks the start of a broader initiative to create a comprehensive EV charging network throughout the state.

“This is an exciting start, but there’s so much more to come for clean transportation,” stated North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “By expanding the EV charging network, all North Carolinians will be able to choose transportation options that are more efficient, more affordable, and better for our environment.”

Grants Awarded To Various Companies

According to NCDOT, the grants have been awarded to a diverse range of businesses, including:

• eCAMION USA: $644,913 each for sites in Williamston and Elizabeth City
• Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores: $600,000 for a site in Marion
• Schneider Electric Buildings Americas: $1,090,841 for chargers in Charlotte
• Francis Energy Charging: $991,421 for a location in Leland
• EvGateway: $586,460 for New Bern and $578,900 for Jonesville
• Pilot Travel Centers: $333,414 for Warsaw and $453,630 for Candor

These locations were strategically selected to fill gaps in the existing charging network, particularly along major highways such as Interstates 40, 77, and 485, as well as U.S. highways 17, 70, 74, and 64. The selected sites include travel centers, shopping plazas, and even a sub shop. Moreover, each charging station will feature four DC fast-charging ports capable of charging an EV in around 20 minutes.

Joey Hopkins, NCDOT Secretary, expressed the importance of this initiative stating, “We’re working to maximize the use of the available funds to build out an efficient network of chargers. Eventually, we’ll have publicly-funded EV chargers that fill in coverage gaps along our major corridors in the state and in our communities. We want a network that is reliable and easily accessible for people in rural and urban areas.”

NCDOT’s Future Grant Awards

This initial round of funding is just the beginning. NCDOT plans to award grants for around 40 more stations to ensure EV chargers are available at least every 50 miles along major highways in North Carolina. In addition, a second phase of the NEVI program will focus on installing charging stations in communities not yet served by the private sector, including a mix of fast chargers and Level 2 chargers that require 4 to 8 hours for a full charge.

Read More: California Invests $32.7 Million In EV Charging Infrastructure Expansion

As North Carolina continues to roll out this ambitious program, it is clear that the state is devoted to creating a robust and accessible EV charging network. With this initiative, it not only supports current EV owners but also paves the way for wider adoption of EVs especially in North Carolina.

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