Resources

New Federal Funding Available for Electric School Buses

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Clean School Bus Program has launched, offering $5 billion over the next five years to support school bus electrification across the country. In its initial funding phase, $500 million in rebates is available. School buses are one of the most well-positioned vehicle types for transitioning from diesel fuel to zero-emission electric operation: They have…

Plug-in NC Ambassador Spotlight: Evan Poteate

Evan Poteate is a student at North Carolina State University, studying electrical engineering. He has volunteered with Plug-in NC at many events across The Triangle to share his expertise and knowledge of electric vehicles (EVs). Apart from driving EVs, he enjoys music, the outdoors, comedies and global history. How long have you been driving electric, and why did you decide…

Using Public EV Charging Stations

You just got an electric vehicle (EV) and are ready to take it for a spin, but what if you need to charge while out and about? Using a public charging station for the first time can be intimidating. There are different charging providers with different steps to plug in using different pricing structures. After all, we might not be…

Gateway to the Smokies: Fast Charging at The Local Market

Earlier this year, we attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for new DC fast chargers in Waynesville, North Carolina. These stations, which contain two CCS plugs and two CHAdeMO plugs, are the westernmost DC fast chargers in the state and fill a critical gap in North Carolina’s charging infrastructure. The installation of the stations was the result of a partnership between The…

Battery Possibilities for Electric Forklifts

Electric forklifts that rely on electric motors and industrial batteries are growing in popularity and are offered by many forklift manufacturers. Recent improvements and advancements in technology have allowed them to compete directly with their internal combustion counterparts but with lower operating and maintenance costs, fewer emissions and quieter operation. Click the image to watch a video about electric forklifts…

What to Consider When Looking to Buy a Used EV

With gasoline prices remaining at record-high levels, more people are considering electric vehicles (EVs). However, increasing demand, coupled with continued supply chain constraints, means new EVs are hard to come by, and they remain more expensive upfront than comparable gasoline cars. The used EV market has not been spared from the issues plaguing new inventories, but there are now more…

Charging at Home: EV Ready or Not

As electric vehicle (EV) sales continue to rise across the country, people are becoming more aware of the technology’s most notable benefits, including the financial savings on gas, environmental impacts and performance. But one of the lesser-known perks is the convenience of charging up at home, which most often occurs at night while drivers sleep. Out of workplace, public and…

Plug-in NC Ambassador Spotlight: Rob Howard

Rob Howard became a Plug-in NC ambassador in 2019 and is a long-time advocate for the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in North Carolina. He is a licensed general contractor and a building science lecturer at Appalachian State University. One of his current projects is located in his hometown of Granite Falls, North Carolina, where he is developing a net-zero…

Electric Transportation in North Carolina: A Recap of 2021 and Look at 2022

2021 was a huge year for electric transportation in North Carolina. Drivers got their hands on legitimate long-range electric vehicles (EVs), such as the Volkswagen (VW) ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and preordered exciting new ones, including the Ford F-150 Lightning and Hyundai Ioniq 5. We also saw large increases in public charging across the state, with DC fast charge…

2021 Annual Report

Electric Vehicle Battery Reuse and Recycling

Electric vehicles (EVs) are starting to take off in the market, increasing from 17,000 globally in 2010 to 8.5 million through 2020 to possibly 145 million by 2030. That same year, EV sales are expected to rise to 26 million. The growth of EVs and automakers’ electric commitments sets an exciting, but uncharted, path ahead. One uncertainty concerns the fate…

How DC Fast Charging Works

Direct current (DC) fast charging is critical for long-distance electric vehicle (EV) travel and for the continued growth of EV adoption, but how does it work? EV batteries store what’s known as DC power, while the electric grid supplies alternating current (AC) power. When you use Level 1 or Level 2 charging, your EV receives AC power that must be…