Two new public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been installed on Hatteras Island with funding from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Volkswagen (VW) Mitigation Program.
The VW Mitigation Program was created from an agreement between the German auto manufacturer Volkswagen and the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The settlement came in the wake of Volkswagen violating federal clean air standards regarding vehicle emissions.
To manage North Carolina’s share of the settlement, totaling over $92 million, NCDEQ outlined a three-phased plan using the funds for a variety of mitigation projects aimed at reducing harmful vehicle emissions. The department set aside around $33 million for the first phase of a program to establish electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state. CHEC was awarded funding for two new chargers through this phase of the program.
A new Level 2 charger has been installed across from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, near the Buxton Woods trailhead. The National Park Service graciously agreed to host the cooperative’s infrastructure on their property, providing a convenient location for drivers to visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and surrounding sights while their vehicle is charging.
CHEC was also awarded funding, in partnership with North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives, to expand the existing DC Fast Charger (DCFC) located near the Avon Pier with an additional DCFC. The Avon site offers several retail and restaurant locations within walking distance for drivers to enjoy while their vehicle is charging. This location has the only public DCFCs in Dare County.
Drivers charging at a DCFC can reach a full charge between 20 minutes to an hour depending on the vehicle and battery capacity.
CHEC has worked together with NCEC, government agencies and local businesses over the last several years to build the island’s EV charging network to make driving electric more accessible to all, and to bring additional commerce and tourism to Hatteras Island.
To find out more about our public chargers, EV program and incentives, please visit chec.coop/EV.