Thanks to a grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there soon will be two charging stations for electric cars in the parking lot in front of the Wake Forest Town Hall.
“As the popularity of electric vehicles grows, the availability of electric charging stations in public places gives communities an economic and environmental one-two punch,” said Deputy Town Manager Roe O’Donnell. “First, these stations provide drivers an incentive to come into town where they can easily charge up while shopping, sightseeing or dining – and ultimately drive longer distances. Second, because electric cars don’t pollute as much as gas-powered cars, they’re much better for our state’s overall air quality.”
O’Donnell said the two stations should be installed and ready for use early this fall. “Initially, there will be no charge. The stations have the capability of allowing us to impose a parking fee at a later time, should we so choose.”
DOT, in conjunction with the N.C. State Solar Center, made the $59,892 grant to ElectriCities to help pay for seven charging stations. One station each will be installed in Edenton, Newton, Tarboro, Smithfield and in Raleigh at the ElectriCities headquarters.
Wake Forest’s share of the grant is expected to be $12,463 to install two GE Single Pedestal Watt stations.
Money from the grant will also be used to help Smithfield and ElectriCities purchase two 2014 Chevy Volts for business purposes.
To learn more about how NCSC, ElectriCities, NC Public Power communities, the NCDOT and others are partnering to help diversify fuel supplies and support cleaner, more vibrant local and state economies, visit www.cleantransportation.org.
Several years ago the Town of Wake Forest Installed a compressed natural gas (CNG) station near the South White Street elevated water tank and purchased vehicles that were converted to use CNG. The thinking was that CNG would become a popular alternative to gasoline. That has not happened.
“The CNG station is currently not operational and we are deciding what to do with the program,” O’Donnell said. “Our existing fleet of CNG vehicles has aged out and we will decide if we are to purchase additional cars in the upcoming budget.”
