Duke Energy says its electrification center for commercial and public electric fleet vehicles is the first-of-its-kind in the country to offer the service using 100% renewable energy. That means zero-emissions and carbon-free electric vehicle charging.
The six-charger facility includes solar, battery storage, hydrogen and other types of generation, says Duke Energy. Cincinnati-based Electrada and its investors put up more than $1 million to open the Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid in Mount Holly at the utility’s Emerging Technology Office, located less than 15 miles west of Charlotte.
The private company will also manage the site “aimed at businesses and public entities that are looking to electrify their fleet,” according to a Duke Energy spokesperson. Duke Energy is not involved in the funding for the project. The charging station also can connect to the power grid, if needed.
School buses, pickups and over-the-road haulers have visited the site, which Duke Energey says will be a model for those with fleet vehicles looking to transition to electric vehicles. The site will also serve as a research site for Duke Energy.
“As companies with sustainability goals seek new ways to decarbonize their operations, vehicle fleets have increasingly become a top focus,” says Harry Sideris, president of Duke Energy, in a release. “The Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid is open and ready to help with opportunities for cost savings, new charging options for zero-emission vehicles and strategic guidance.”
The Mount Holly station has four fast-charging stations ranging from 120 to 300 kilowatts, along with two Level 2 chargers, such as an individual would have at their home. Charging a vehicle typically takes between 45 minutes and three hours. The site will be open 24 hours a day for customers who have established a relationship with Duke Energy and Electrada. It will not be available for public use.
The site will move forward Electrada’s service of helping businesses and government agencies to transition to electric vehicles.
“While fleet electrification in Europe and Asia has taken hold, this critical mobility microgrid effort in partnership with Duke Energy will help address and solve those electrical and performance issues unique to North America that challenge commercial adoption today,” said Kevin Kushman, CEO of Electrada, in a statement. “This collaboration proves that electric mobility at scale is compatible with reliable and renewable grid service and will build trust in fleets who are ready to embrace the transition.”
Having a depot designed for medium- and heavy-duty trucking in the U.S. that can be charged from the grid or switched to 100% renewable energy allows businesses to test and validate software, vehicle and microgrid interoperability to reinforce confident commercial fleet electrification, according to Duke.
Daimler Truck North America, the leading manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty trucks in North America, has a manufacturing site less than a half-mile away that employs 1,800 workers. It will join Duke Energy and Electrada as a founding participant in the fleet EV charging program. Daimler’s proximity allows it to use the chargers at the site and demonstrate charging technologies to customers visiting the plant, according to Duke.
“Our collaboration with Duke Energy and Electrada goes beyond infrastructure development – it’s about creating a sustainable, scalable fleet electrification solution,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at Daimler Trucks North America, in a statement. “By providing seamless, carbon-free charging, the Fleet Mobility Microgrid enables our inbound logistics partners to operate with minimal environmental impact. This is a critical step in decarbonizing our supply chain and ensuring that our electric vehicles continue to drive the future of sustainable transportation.”
Fleet Electrification
Fleet electrification has the potential to have the largest environmental impact per mile driven on a greenhouse gas reduction basis per transportation use case, especially in medium- and heavy-duty trucking, according to Duke. EV adoption in the U.S. continues to grow, with the latest quarter representing a record-high percentage of EV new car sales at approximately 9% nationally.
“We expect energy consumption to grow at an average annual rate of nearly 2% over the next 26 years, with approximately 35% of that growth coming from greater EV adoption. That means by 2050, energy use could be about 50% greater than what it is today,” said Sideris. “A collaborative approach to renewable energy has the potential to significantly shape a more sustainable, cleaner energy system.”