North Raleigh Today

Raleigh, Apr 29 2024 - The City of Raleigh is taking a step towards a more sustainable future by introducing solar electric vehicle (EV) chargers at city parks. The initiative aims to make EV charging more accessible and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the community.

According to a city official, "The first two locations where you will find the City’s new solar electric vehicle (EV) chargers soaking up the sun are at Anderson Point Park and Brier Creek Park. The chargers will occasionally be moved around the city so people in different areas can try them out! The public can use these chargers during park hours."

The move towards solar-powered chargers aligns with Raleigh’s Community Climate Action Plan, which focuses on reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience to climate change impacts. "Increasing clean energy and making EV charging accessible in Raleigh are high-impact strategies in Raleigh’s Community Climate Action Plan," stated a city representative.

Solar-powered EV chargers not only offer a sustainable energy source but also provide benefits such as serving as emergency power sources during severe weather events. Additionally, they help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making EVs a more environmentally friendly transportation option. "Solar-powered EV chargers contribute to a sustainable community in several ways," emphasized the city official.

The city's investment in these chargers was made possible through federal funding, with two chargers purchased using funds from the American Rescue Plan. Another solar charger was awarded to the city through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant. The acquisition of the third charger is currently in progress, with its location yet to be determined.

As the city moves towards a more sustainable transportation infrastructure, residents are reminded that weather conditions can impact charging speed, with extreme temperatures potentially affecting the charging process. The introduction of solar-powered EV chargers at city parks not only supports cleaner transportation but also aims to make EV ownership more accessible to all Raleigh residents.