Transportation

NC DRIVE (Developing Replicable, Innovative Variants for Engagement) for Electric Vehicles in the US

This project aligns with Clean Energy Plan Recommendation L, Create strategies for electrification.

The North Carolina State Energy Office (SEO) is partnering with the Triangle J Clean Cities Coalition on the North Carolina Developing Replicable, Innovative Variants for Engagement (NC DRIVE) Project. The objective of this three-year project is to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EV) through deployment of EVs consumer engagement, education, and outreach resulting in a replication playbook.  The SEO is providing match funds for this federal U.S. Drive-funded grant to Triangle J Clean Cities Coalition for this project.  

The U.S. DRIVE stands for Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle efficiency and Energy sustainability. It is a non-binding, non-legal, voluntary government-industry partnership focused on advanced automotive and related energy infrastructure technology research and development (R&D).  Members include the U.S. Department of Energy and companies in the automobile, energy, and electric utility industries.  The Partnership facilitates precompetitive technical information exchange among experts to discuss R&D needs, develop joint goals and technology roadmaps, and evaluate R&D progress. 

Carolina Alternative Fuel Infrastructure for Storm Resilience Plan

This transportation project aligns with Clean Energy Recommendation E, Strengthen the resilience and flexibility of the grid.  

The NC State Energy Office (SEO) is partnering with E4 Carolinas (Lead agency), Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Savannah River National Lab, NC Clean Energy Technology Center, Centralina Clean Fuels, Triangle Clean Cities, Duke Energy Piedmont Natural Gas, Advanced Energy, Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina and ONEH2.   The Carolina Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Planning for Storm Resilience project researches and analyzes storm-caused disruptions to alternative fuel infrastructure that affects petroleum and alternative fuels.  Project partners and stakeholders will develop a post-disaster emergency response plan/roadmap that will reduce the impact to infrastructure disruption, transportation, utility restoration, and recovery operations.

Recent hurricanes and other tragedies have demonstrated how alternative fuel vehicles can provide critical/reliable transportation services when conventional fuel availability is interrupted or in short supply.  The goals and objectives of the project are to:  

  • Develop and implement the Carolina Alternative Fuel Infrastructure for Storm Resilience Plan. 
  • Enhance Carolina alternative fuel vehicles fleet and fueling facility disaster preparedness. resiliency and recovery.
  • Increase alternative fuel use for emergency response fleets, utility restoration, and recovery operation services.

In 2019, E4 Carolinas received an award from the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), on behalf of the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), for Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research for this three-year project.  The SEO is providing matching funds and technical assistance for the development of the post-disaster emergency response plan/roadmap for this project.  

Southeast Regional Electric Vehicle Information Exchange

This project aligns closely with Recommendation L, Create strategies for electrification.

The North Carolina State Energy Office (SEO) is an active participant in the Southeast Regional Electric Vehicle Information Exchange group.  The Southeastern states acknowledge there are many regional key regional opportunities associated with electric vehicles (EVs) and seek to collectively foster the growth of EV adoption within the region.

The Southeast Regional EV Information Exchange convenes on a bi-monthly basis to provide a coordination touchpoint for Southeast SEOs to share information and best practices as well as to identify potential areas for collaboration on topics including, but not limited to: EV infrastructure planning. education and outreach, policy development, and program implementation.

Participants of the Southeast Regional Exchange include:  Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, the National Association of State Energy Officials, and Duke University’s Nicholas Institute.  

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Projects

These projects align closely with Recommendation L, Create strategies for electrification.

The North Carolina State Energy Office (SEO) has provided funding for electric vehicle infrastructure projects in various locations across the state.  EV charging stations funded since 2020 include: 

  • Two electric vehicle charging stations at the NC Division of Marine Fisheries in Morehead City
  • Two electric vehicle charging stations at Grandfather Mountain to assist with their sustainability efforts at their State park 
  • One electric vehicle charging station in Warren County 
  • One electric vehicle charging station in Scotland County.