CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Following six
months of stakeholder input, Duke Energy recently filed an
additional $56 million proposal of
Phase II programs to continue the advancement of transportation
electrification in North
Carolina.
The filing follows the November
2020 N.C. Utilities Commission (NCUC) order approving the
company's $25 million Phase I
electric transportation pilot program.
In its earlier order, the NCUC instructed Duke Energy to work
with the Public Staff to organize a collaborative stakeholder
process and then file any stakeholder-developed pilot programs.
"The move to an electric-driven transportation sector will
include input from stakeholders from across North Carolina," said Stephen De May, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "Our filing reflects
the best ideas we heard on how Duke Energy can spur that
transition."
Although North Carolina has
more than 26,000 electric vehicles in the state, Gov. Roy Cooper's Executive Order 80 set forth a
statewide goal of getting 80,000 zero-emission vehicles on the road
by 2025.
Duke Energy's efforts will lead to more than 1,000 charging
ports being installed in the state. The company's Phase II pilot
programs will:
- Build on the company's earlier pilot by expanding DC fast
charging on state highways, charging at multifamily dwellings and
provide financial support to school systems to purchase 60 electric
school buses.
- Support the continued development of the competitive market for
DC fast charging by requiring multiple providers of the hardware
and software, creating a transparent stakeholder informed process
around vendor selection that allows for alternative pricing by site
hosts.
- Create a pilot for a tariffed EV charging program for
residential and business customers. This program allows for
customers to install and operate EV charging stations for a low
monthly rate with the customer making all operational choices,
including brand of hardware and network. In many cases, this may be
a zero upfront cost option for customers charging EVs.
Separate from the Phase II filing, on April 30 the company filed for approval of a
make-ready tariff that will provide credits to reduce the upfront
cost of upgrading electrical systems to install charging
infrastructure for homeowners and businesses.
"High upfront costs prevent our customers from unlocking the
substantial benefits of EVs, and this challenge is especially
prevalent for low- and moderate-income families," said Lon Huber, Duke Energy's vice president of rate
design and strategic solutions. "These new programs remove a key
financial barrier to adoption, enabling everyone to benefit from
the expanded use of electric vehicles."
Huber added that the collaborative stakeholder meetings in
North Carolina will continue to
review how the Phase II pilot programs are performing and to
discuss innovative ways to expand the EV market, including
additional rate designs and programs.
Supporting the transition to EVs
Duke Energy is a major supporter of electric vehicles. It has
already launched ambitious programs to expand EV charging both
internally at Duke Energy locations and externally through several
utility pilot programs. An internal "Electrify by Example"
initiative is starting with an effort to install workplace chargers
at all work locations to enable employees to drive electric.
In Florida, the company's Park
& Plug pilot has installed more than 590 EV public charging
stations throughout the state. The deployment includes 50
fast-charging stations connecting areas of Florida previously underserved by EV
fast-charging infrastructure. To date, drivers have used the Park
& Plug network for more than 75,000 charging sessions,
displacing more than 110,000 gallons of gasoline.
Regulatory action in 2020 led to pilot programs being approved
in both North Carolina and
South Carolina. If Duke Energy's
recent EV filings in North
Carolina are approved, the company will build on its
leadership with a comprehensive suite of EV programs, making it
more affordable and convenient for customers to access EV charging
infrastructure.
In South Carolina, the company
will provide up to a total of $1,000
for 400 residential Duke Energy Carolinas customers who install a
Level 2 charging station, provide access to their charging data,
and manage EV charging load to occur during off-peak periods. The
company will also deploy 60 fast chargers there to expand access to
fast-charging infrastructure in the state.
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities
serve 7.9 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves
1.6 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500
people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to
create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities –
with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and
net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S.
renewable energy provider, on track to operate or purchase 16,000
megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is
investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery
storage and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies
such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2021 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More
information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke
Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos
and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories
about people, innovations, community topics and environmental
issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and
Facebook.
Contact: Randy Wheeless
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_RandyW
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SOURCE Duke Energy