Mebane, N.C. (Dec. 8, 2021) – This past week, Piedmont Electric Cooperative unveiled their newest electric vehicle (EV) DC fast-charging station at the Arby’s in Mebane. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, including Piedmont Electric, are working to create a statewide network of EV charging stations, enabling the increased adoption of EV technology. DC fast-chargers provide the quickest charge available and can charge a depleted electric vehicle’s battery to 80 percent capacity in less than 30 minutes.
Cooperatives primarily serve members in rural locations, and their expanding charging network fills gaps in charging infrastructure in rural and tourist-visited areas, creating environmental and economic benefits for communities.
“This charging station will help increase local commerce, reduce emissions and bring the benefits of driving electric to our community,” said Steve Hamlin, president and general manager of Piedmont Electric. “Our members are increasingly interested in the convenience, cost savings and environmental advantage of electric vehicles, and we are proud to support expansion of this technology by securing funding for this local project.”
Piedmont Electric applied for and was awarded a grant to fund the chargers as part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency settlement with Volkswagen. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality awarded eight North Carolina electric cooperatives, including Piedmont Electric, approximately $700,000 in VW settlement funding to install high-speed EV charging stations in rural and suburban communities throughout the state.
“This is the newest fast charger in our service area, we recently had a ribbon cutting at our other DC fast-charging station in Carrboro Plaza,” Hamlin said. “We’re happy to see this come here to Mebane, we expect this charger to be very popular as there are no other high speed chargers in this area.”
The NC electric co-ops’ charging network has now expanded to nearly 70 charging stations, with more than 100 charging ports across the state. To learn more about our EV charging network and how Piedmont Electric supports members in accessing the benefits of EVs, including rebates and special rates, visit NCDriveElectric.com/piedmont-electric.
Piedmont Electric is a local, member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 33,000 electric accounts in Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville, Orange and Person counties. Piedmont Electric exists to serve our members and improve the quality of life in our communities through local employment, economic development, business engagement, youth education, grants to educators, advocacy for energy issues, community involvement and emergency preparedness support. Visit www.pemc.coop for more information.
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Photo caption: Members of the City of Mebane, North Carolina Electric Cooperatives and Piedmont Electric Cooperative gather to celebrate the new electric vehicle DC fast-charging station at the Arby’s in Mebane.
Attendees from left to right
– Brandon Reed, Manager of Member Services and Public Relations at Piedmont Electric Cooperative
– Randy Kinley, Vice Chair on Board of Directors at Piedmont Electric Cooperative
– John Hines, Energy Specialist at Piedmont Electric Cooperative
– Mayor Ed Hooks
– Louis Duke, Senior Public Relations Specialist at North Carolina Electric Cooperatives
– Senator Amy Galey
– Preston Mitchell, Assistant Mebane City Manager
– Chris Rollins, Mebane City Manager