In late 2019, North Carolina kicked off the first of its zero-emission vehicle programs using funds from a national settlement with Volkswagen. The DC Fast Charge Program focused on stations installed on segments of interstates or future interstates, which was exciting news for many of our member communities located along those key highway segments.
“We had successful DC Fast Charge Proposals in Morganton, Lexington, New Bern, Kinston, and Wilson,” says Phil Bisesi, ElectriCities Supervisor of Residential Energy Services. (Next time you find yourself passing through one of these communities, keep an eye out for their brand-new energy-efficient options!)
We continue to usher in the future of energy. Plug-in electric vehicles, also known as electric cars or EVs, are cost effective and environmentally friendly, making them an advantage for our customers — and an opportunity for public power utilities. Beginning January 2021, eligible communities will be able to apply for funding reimbursement for Level 2 Charging Stations.
There are a few different types of EVs, with the common denominator being that they plug-in to charge from an electric power source. In the wake of a national settlement with Volkswagen, North Carolina has and will continue to receive funds designated specifically for zero-emission vehicle programs. The first round focused on DC Fast Charging stations, and now there are opportunities for the Level 2 Charge Program.
“Level 2 stations could be in any community downtown,” says Phil Bisesi, ElectriCities Supervisor of Residential Energy Services. “These stations are less expensive and they don’t charge quite as quickly. They are more appropriate for a workplace parking lot or a downtown square area, where a car might be able to plug-in for multiple hours.”
The Volkswagen settlement funds are a rebate-style program, where communities must purchase and install the charging stations before receiving reimbursement of up to $5,000 per charging station. Cities can apply for multiple charging station locations and receive up to $25,000. Eligible projects will be pre-approved by the state and a key detail is that the charging station must be accessible to the general public.
Proposals will be accepted beginning January 25 for Level 2 Charging Stations.
Bisesi recommends using the time between now and then to get your ducks in a row if you’re interested in applying. “Start by deciding where you might want to put a Level 2 charger,” he says. For a full list of what details you should consider, visit the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality website’s information center here. Once you’ve reviewed the nuts and bolts, contact us for assistance through the process. “We are always here to help,” Bisesi says.
Interested in applying for a grant for an EV Charging Station?
The State of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) released the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Level 2 ZEV Infrastructure Rebate Program under the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust.
What can you do to prepare?
Between now and early January, interested applicants should:
- Download and become familiar with the Rebate RFP here
- Begin researching possible vendor partners that could help provide equipment quotes and possibly technical support for the application
- Begin the registration process for an NCID by following the instructions here (once completed, you will receive an email with steps to activate your account)
- Complete the DAQ Access Authorization Form.
- Complete the State of North Carolina Substitute W-9 Form
- Email the DAQ Access Authorization and State of North Carolina Substitute W-9 Forms to svc.NCVWApplication@ncdenr.gov with “Level 2 Program” in the subject line.
VW Rebate Q&A Webinar: January 13, 2021 at 1:00 pm
A second question and answer webinar will be held from 1pm – 2:30pm on January 13, 2021, for interested stakeholders and applicants. You may register from the link on the Level 2 Program webpage or by following this link. During this webinar, staff will answer questions regarding requesting new user access to the DAQ Grants Management System, the Request for Proposals, Level 2 application details, and required documentation.
The recording of the Applicant Level 2 Webinar held on December 11, 2020, is now viewable on DAQ’s webpage in the Workshop Documents tab.