The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) has announced the allocation of $1.91 million for new public electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state. The funding aims to address gaps in the charging network, particularly along highways and in rural areas.
Through the Community and Destination Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, 25 new DC Fast charging ports will be installed at 13 locations. These sites include state parks, shopping centers, gas stations, town centers, and hotels. The full list of award recipients is available online.
“This investment will protect our air quality and public health, boost North Carolina’s clean energy economy, and enhance the accessibility of electric vehicle charging for North Carolinians,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “Transportation is the leading source of climate-warming pollution, and by expanding our EV charging network we’ll make it easier for owners of zero-emission vehicles to charge up and drive air pollution down.”
According to DEQ estimates, these projects are expected to prevent over 657 tons of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. They will also avoid emissions of 125 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,191 pounds of volatile organic compounds.
A significant portion of the funds was directed toward projects in rural counties. Many installations will be powered entirely through Renewable Energy Credits that confirm electricity generation from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydro power.
The funding comes from North Carolina’s $92 million share in a national settlement with Volkswagen. Most funds were distributed over two previous grant phases; this latest round uses unspent money from canceled projects. DEQ does not expect further allocations from this settlement.
Fifteen percent—the maximum allowed by trust agreement—of North Carolina’s settlement funds went toward electric vehicle infrastructure initiatives. Additional grants have supported clean vehicle replacements such as all-electric school buses and transit buses.
