Duke Energy supports Greensboro’s efforts to install electric buses

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Duke Energy has announced $450,000 grant to install an electric charging station at Greensboro’s Department of Transportation (GDOT).

The initiative is part of Duke Energy’s overall $1.5 million “EV Charging Infrastructure Project”, which aims at expanding charging for electric vehicles throughout North Carolina. The charging station will accelerate the adoption of all-electric buses in the city, the company said.

“Greensboro presented a compelling case for electric buses and the need for charging infrastructure,” said Davis Montgomery, Duke Energy government and community relations manager. “Duke Energy’s grant will further promote electric transportation in this area.”

As part of an overall $1.5 million EV Charging Infrastructure Project, the company recently announced funding for more than200 public EV charging stations throughout North Carolina for passenger vehicles.

As for bus charging, the Greensboro Transportation Authority (GTA) is transitioning its fleet of 47 diesel buses to all electric vehicles. Over the next 10 years, the city plans to pair $4.5 million in voter-approved bonds with federal funds to replace diesel buses that have met or exceeded their useful life of 12 years or 500,000 miles.

The Duke Energy grant will allow the GDOT to purchase a rapid-charging station for the J. Douglas Galyon Depot. One rapid-charging station can replenish a bus battery array in seven to 10 minutes.

Duke Energy’s EV project targets to increase public EV charging stations in N.C. by 30 percent. The company plans to install more than 200 EV charging stations.

The $1 million project pays up to $5,000 for the purchase and installation of each charging port. The project received overwhelming interest – with more than 500 charging stations requested from around the state.

Recently the company announced the recipients under the program.

Rajani Baburajan

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