Resources

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…

North Carolina Electric Vehicles & Charging Stations 2011-2021

Plug-in NC Ambassador Spotlight: Rich Pacetti

We’re excited to bring back Plug-in NC Ambassador Spotlights in 2022! This year, we’ll be highlighting Plug-in NC’s go-to advocates for electric vehicles (EVs) as we share their stories and expertise. First up is Rich Pacetti. For as long as Rich can remember, he has been fascinated with cars. He studied electrical engineering and mathematics at Duke University and later…

Plug in and Explore North Carolina

DC Fast Charging Is Growing in Eastern North Carolina

Eastern North Carolina is a popular destination for locals and out-of-towners alike, and it’s becoming easier to visit by electric vehicle (EV). Over the past year, electric utilities, including Duke Energy, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives and municipally owned electric utilities, have helped fill gaps by installing DC fast charge stations in key spots throughout the region, with more slated to…

Member Spotlight: Lake James State Park

Lake James State Park, located about 50 miles from Asheville, offers a family-friendly trip for outdoor lovers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Travelers from throughout the state and beyond can enjoy more than 150 miles of shoreline at the lake and a range of activities while charging up their electric vehicle (EV) for their next destination. “I’m happy that we…

EV Adventure: The Mountains are Calling

Maybe it’s the idyllic scenery or the charming towns; the great food and drinks (craft beer, anyone?) or the public art; or the countless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Western North Carolina has something for everyone, and it’s no surprise that it draws so many visitors from both in and out of state. If you’re venturing to the region in an…

NC State’s SolarPack Team Goes Racing for the First Time

NC State’s SolarPack team has a lot to be proud of. In August, for the first time, they got their solar-powered electric car onto the course of the Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP), an annual three-day track competition taking place this year in Topeka, Kansas, and a premier race for U.S. collegiate solar car efforts. Since 2016, SolarPack has been promoting energy-efficient transportation by…

Plug-in NC Member Spotlight: Sanderling Resort

Imagine planning your next vacation. You find a luxurious resort that offers a combination of adventurous and rejuvenating experiences. You book your trip and begin to pack when suddenly you realize that you forgot one minor detail — you plan to drive your electric car but didn’t look up places to charge. With Sanderling Resort, you won’t have to worry.…

Plug-in NC’s 2021 Summit Celebrates the Past and Drives EVs Forward

On August 27, 2021, Plug-in NC hosted its 2021 Summit, an annual event focused on progressing electric transportation in North Carolina through education and networking. This year, in honor of Plug-in NC’s 10th anniversary, the summit took a drive down memory lane to celebrate the accomplishments of the past decade and then looked ahead to future developments. With a record-breaking…

EV Adventure: Plugging In to the Piedmont

In the 1800s, the North Carolina Railroad efficiently carried passengers and freight throughout the Piedmont region, helping it become a hub of industry and technology. Today, another form of efficient transportation is taking hold: electric vehicles (EVs). The region is quickly becoming a hot spot of EV design and development. EV startup Arrival chose Charlotte for one of its “microfactories”…

Plug-in NC: A Decade of Driving Electric

Our story begins in 2011, when the electric vehicle (EV) landscape in North Carolina was still a dream on the horizon. Though talk had been circling for a few years, it was time to act. A group of pioneers united under a shared goal to promote EVs in our state and launched the North Carolina Plug-in Electric Vehicle (NC PEV)…