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Alternative Fuel Vehicle Demonstration & Tailgate at NC State Football Game

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Last month, before the NC State University vs. Wake Forest University football game at Carter Finley Stadium, the NC Clean Energy Technology Center’s Clean Transportation team invited fans to explore a lineup of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles before kickoff. 

The Clean Transportation program at the NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) propels the development, awareness and use of alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies. Our clean transportation program’s outreach and education initiatives include workshops, meetings, conferences and communication campaigns highlighting the benefits of using clean transportation technologies- from alternative fuel to sustainable fleet management.

There were 18 vehicles on display supplied by local dealerships, state agencies and electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts, including several Tesla models, VolksWagen, BMW, Chevrolet, Volvo and more. 

The City of Charlotte showed off their all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck and drew fans in with one of the Lightning’s most useful features– the Mega Power Frunk, a front trunk found where a normal internal combustion engine would live. The frunk has four electrical outlets, two USB chargers and 2.4 kilowatts of power were added to power wired tools, speakers and more.

The City of Charlotte showed off their all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck and drew fans in with one of the Lightning’s most useful features– the Mega Power Frunk, a front trunk found where a normal internal combustion engine would live. The frunk has four electrical outlets, two USB chargers and 2.4 kilowatts of power were added to power wired tools, speakers and more.

 

 

 

 

 

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50 States of Electric Vehicles and Innovations in Managed Charging

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The burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market is leading the way towards an emissions-free future, but the growing electrical demand on the nationa’s grid needed to fuel EVs risks further complicating utilities’ careful balancing act to integrate an expanding supply of variable renewables.

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) at NC State University recently hosted a webinar session to highlight innovations in managed charging and recent EV policy trends in the United States. With legislation and technology advancements accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States, utilities and fleet technology companies are learning how to respond to the increasing charging demand on the nation’s electrical grid.

The webinar titled 50 States of Electric Vehicles and Innovations in Managed Charging was part of the NCCETC’s Energy & Sustainability Services Webinar Series. NCCETC’s Senior Clean Transportation Specialist Lisa Poger moderated the panel discussion with Brian Lips of NCCETC, Elaine Jordan of Duke Energy and Jacqueline Piero of The Mobility House.

POLICY PAVING THE WAY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The session began with an overview of EV policies in the 50 States from Lips featuring information from the Q1 2022 and Q2 2022 editions of The 50 States of Electric Vehicles. “In the first half of the year, every single state took some sort of policy action related to EVs,” Lips said. “It’s a very popular topic among policymakers.”

Lips serves as manager of the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) project, a publicly available resource on federal, state and utility policies and incentives for renewable energy, efficiency, energy storage, and electric vehicles operated by the Energy Policy Team at NCCETC. Additionally, DSIRE Insight expands upon DSIRE with the 50 States quarterly reports and subscription services focused on distributed solar, grid modernization and energy storage, and electric vehicles, as well as customized energy policy research.

“In both quarters, we saw the most activity in the financial incentives category,” said Lips. Financial incentives include bills related to tax credits or other incentive programs.

For the first half of 2022, the DSIRE Insight team has observed six trends in EV-related policy actions taken: (1) states encouraging zero-emissions school bus deployment, (2) utilities proposing charging-as-a-service programs, (3) states and utilities continue examining demand charge alternatives for commercial charging, (4) states planning for federal EV infrastructure funding,  (5) state lawmakers addressing charging infrastructure siting issues, and (6) utilities developing active managed charging pilot programs.

“We’re seeing a lot of states encouraging or requiring the deployment of zero emission school buses,” stated Lips. Legislation enacted in New York during the second quarter of 2022 requires that all school buses in the state be zero-emission by July 2035, as noted by The 50 States of Electric Vehicles: Q2 2022 Quarterly Report Executive Summary.

INNOVATIONS IN MANAGED CHARGING & PILOT PROGRAMS

With no other market interventions, EV owners who commute to work could be inclined to charge their vehicles when they return in the late afternoon and exacerbate these growing demand curves. However, with proper incentives or more direct utility involvement to shift the EV demand curve, EV charging could provide a myriad of benefits to consumers and the electric system as a whole.

While the EV industry and its effects on the grid are still very new and vary from state to state, utilities have started exploring different approaches to influence customer charging behavior, commonly referred to as managed charging. DSIRE Insight’s blog Recent Developments in Managed Charging explains the distinction between active and passive managed charging: Passive managed charging uses price signals like time-varying rates or peak time rebates to encourage customer behavior, while active managed charging gives utilities direct control over the load similar to a demand response program

A growing number of utilities are filing applications to offer charging-as-a-service programs or developing managed charging pilot programs to minimize grid impacts and provide system-wide benefits. “Entergy requested approval for new offerings like this in Arkansas and Mississippi,” Lips said. “While DTE Electric in Michigan proposed residential and commercial charging-as-a-service programs this year and Indiana regulators approved another program proposed by Duke Energy.”

Elaine Jordan, Senior Rates and Regulatory Analyst, provided a brief overview of the two managed charging pilot programs under development by Duke Energy in their North Carolina jurisdiction.

“We’re really excited because we’ve had the opportunity to partner with BMW, Ford and General Motors,” Jordan said. One of the pilot programs will test the new Open Vehicle Grid Integration Platform, a telematics based platform that enables Duke Energy to receive charging data from customers with exact kilowatts consumed for each charging session.

The second pilot program is a Demand Response Pilot utilizing vehicle-to-grid technology which allows Duke Energy to discharge EV batteries to support the grid. Duke Energy’s proposal for this pilot is still under consideration by the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

SMART CHARGING FOR SMART SAVINGS

Organizations like The Mobility House are working with fleets and customers to create smart charging solutions and strategies that not only lower costs and deliver savings, but also use EV batteries as a beneficial part of the power grid. Jacqueline Piero is the Head of Policy and Regulation in the United States for The Mobility House.

“If you have demand charges, we’ll also make sure that we’re minimizing the impact charging EVs will actually have on that demand- which can be the biggest part of an electric bill,” said Piero. “The last thing we want to do is have electric vehicles be more expensive than having diesel or gas vehicles.”

While utilities are beginning to adapt to manage EV charging, private companies such as The Mobility House are able to offer charging solutions to enable fleets to electrify at the least cost possible in the current environment. With The Mobility House’s load control technology, King County Metro in Washington state has been able to put more EVs and charging stations behind the meter than the grid connection should be able to allow.

“We have 4.63 megawatts of transit bus charging happening behind a 2.5 megawatt connection, and we’re doing that by having on-site control,” Piero said. In total, King County Metro saved around $1 million by using the existing grid connection and saves an additional $100,000 a year in operating expenses.

Piero hopes flexible approaches like the King County pilot program can be a model to further propel the transition to electric buses throughout the country. With collaboration from utilities, automotive manufacturers and third parties like The Mobility House, customers can feel more at ease with making the switch to an EV and the grid will stay up and running when they do.

ABOUT THE DATABASE OF STATE INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

DSIRE is the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the NC Clean Energy Technology center at NC State University. If you’re interested in learning more about incentives and policies for renewable energy and energy efficiency in your state, visit DSIREusa.org.

ABOUT NCCETC’S ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES:

The NCCETC is now offering Energy & Sustainability Services (ESS) to all types of private and public organizations. Our staff are subject experts in clean energy, transportation, policy and workforce development and they bring this entire portfolio of knowledge toward a holistic approach to client work. They also provide unbiased, data-driven, and technical fee-for-service energy solutions based upon the client’s specific needs.

Register for our newsletter to stay tuned for the next free webinar highlighting timely topics and services!

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Kick Off National Drive Electric Week With the NC Clean Energy Technology Center

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National Drive Electric Week starts this month, September 23 through October 2, 2022! National Drive Electric Week, or NDEW, is an annual event in the United States celebrating all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The national campaign is presented by Plug in America, Sierra Club and Electric Auto Association and consists of hundreds of free events across the nation. 

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) is kicking off this year’s National Drive Electric Week at the Wake Forest versus Clemson University football game Saturday, September 24. Before the game begins, fans are invited to join the NCCETC for a tailgate and plug-in electric vehicle (EV) car show at Truist Field on Wake Forest University’s campus. The following Thursday, September 29, NCCETC is hosting another EV car show and demonstration with test drives at Venture Plaza on NC State’s Centennial Campus. 

National Drive Electric Week began in 2011 to provide free, helpful and in-depth information for those beginning their electric vehicle journey. Today, more than two million EVs have been sold in the United States, and 90 percent of EV drivers report they will purchase another EV for their next vehicle, according to a recent survey conducted by Plug In America. 

NDEW events help spread awareness about the benefits of driving electric, including decreased emissions, fuel savings and enhanced performance of electric vehicles. Thousands of North Carolinians attend National Drive Electric week events each year, and there are currently ten individual events currently scheduled for this year across the state. 

The Clean Transportation Program at NCCETC has participated in the national campaign for several years now and, in 2021, sponsored two in-person EV ride and drive events in addition to two virtual webinars on electric vehicle topics including innovative charging solutions and idle reduction. 

“Every year during National Drive Electric Week events, we give people the opportunity to get their hands on an EV and ask EV owners all of their questions,” explained Heather Brutz, Clean Transportation Program Director for NCCETC. “When they leave, they are confident in making their next vehicle purchase electric and even come back to showcase their new EVs to get others to make the switch at future events!”

Learn more about upcoming events and register to attend by visiting the links listed below. 

Those interested in going electric can also explore a variety of EVs and their drivers’ experiences driving electric through our Electric Driver Profile series. NCCETC previously sat down with seven EV drivers to hear about the benefits of going electric.

Our newest EV Driver Profile features Kelly Witter, a recent EV owner who shared, “EVs are quiet, have fewer moving parts and reduce air pollution and fossil fuel use. Plus, charging at public stations is more enjoyable than gas stations and I can be productive while I charge.”

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The 50 States of Electric Vehicles: Zero-Emission Buses, Charging-As-A-Service Programs, and Demand Charge Alternatives Addressed During Q2 2022

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Raleigh, NC – (August 5, 2022) The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q2 2022 edition of The 50 States of Electric Vehicles. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

The report finds that 47 states and the District of Columbia took actions related to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure during Q2 2022 (see figure below), with the greatest number of actions relating to rebate and  grant programs, rate design for vehicle charging, and state procurement of electric vehicles.

A total of 569 electric vehicle actions were taken during Q2 2022, with the most active states being Massachusetts, California, Illinois, New York, Minnesota, Michigan, and New Jersey. So far in 2022, at least 82 bills related to transportation electrification have been enacted across 35 states.

Q2 2022 State and Utility Action on Electric Vehicles

The report discusses three trends in electric vehicle actions taken in Q2 2022: (1) states encouraging zero-emission school bus deployment, (2) utilities proposing charging-as-a-service programs, and (3) states and utilities continuing to examine demand charge alternatives for commercial charging.

“There was a flurry of legislative activity across the second quarter. Along with expanding some existing financing programs to include EV infrastructure, legislators ordered the creation of new incentive programs, implemented new or more stringent procurement targets, and even weighed in on permitting issues,” observed Rebekah de la Mora, Policy Analyst at NCCETC.

The report notes five of the top policy developments of the quarter:

  • Indiana and New Jersey regulators approving new utility incentive programs;
  • Maine lawmakers adopting zero-emission vehicle targets;
  • The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission approving new electric vehicle charging rates;
  • Arizona utilities filing transportation electrification plans; and
  • California regulators filing proposed regulations establishing targets for zero-emission vehicle sales.

“We have seen utilities developing creative programs for EVs,” noted Brian Lips, Senior Policy Project Manager at NCCETC. “From subscription rates coupled with managed charging, to EV service equipment tariffs, utilities are exploring new services to offer their customers.”

View the 50 States of Electric Vehicles Q2 2022 Executive Summary
View and Purchase the 50 States of Electric Vehicles Q2 2022 update FULL Report
View other 50 States Reports – Solar, Grid Modernization and Electric Vehicles

ABOUT THE N.C. CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CENTER

The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center, as part of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University, advances a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices and policies. It serves as a resource for innovative, sustainable energy technologies through technology demonstration, technical assistance, outreach and training. For more information about the  Center, visit: http://www.nccleantech.ncsu.edu. Twitter: @NCCleanTech

 

Media Contact: Shannon Helm, NCCETC, shannon_helm@ncsu.edu

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Best Strategies for Sustainable Fleet Management Showcased at the 2022 Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference & Expo

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The 6th annual Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference and Expo returns in-person for 2022! Discover the latest and greatest in sustainable fleet technology, operations and implementation at the 2022 Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference on August 31 and September 1, 2022 at the Durham Convention Center in Durham, NC.

The 2022 Sustainable Fleet Technology (SFT) Conference and Expo will showcase alternative fuel technologies and operations in the biofuels, electric, natural gas, and propane arenas, with a strong focus on data-driven decisions and best practices. The event will include keynote presentations, over 50 speakers and more than 40 exhibitors with indoor vehicle/equipment on display in the expo hall. Find the full conference agenda for SFT 2022 online here.

Building toward a sustainable fleet is a multi-aspect process that involves planning, understanding, learning, tracking, analyzing, training and changing organizational culture, which can be challenging for individual fleets to navigate. SFT serves as a resource for public and private fleets by leveraging the knowledge of top performing fleets and industry experts sharing their best practices and operations for increasing vehicle fleet efficiency and sustainability.

Attendees of SFT 2022 can expect in-depth presentations from award-winning and expert speakers sharing their best practices and lessons learned to help fleets run more efficiently. Session topics include a strong focus on data-driven decisions, tools and technologies from real-world applications of fleets across the nation. From simple strategies like idle-reduction programs to more complex operations like best practices for managing fleet charging equipment, the conference agenda has it all. Each session spotlights innovative opportunities for effective sustainable fleet management.

Who should attend?

Public & Private Fleet Managers

Purchasing Officials

State Government Leaders

Municipal Government Officials

Non-Profit Stakeholders

Clean Cities Coalitions & Stakeholders

Alternative Fuel Trade Organizations

Sustainability Managers

Academic Leaders & Researchers

Wednesday, August 31 will begin with a welcome and introduction to the 2022 SFT Conference from keynote speaker John Konkel, Director of GM Fleet of General Motors. Later that day, John Konkel will join a panel of industry leaders for the keynote plenary Industry Roundtable: Getting the Win in Sustainable Fleet to discuss the current state of sustainable transportation, opportunities, obstacles and measures needed to meet today’s and future goals. The panel will be moderated by Emmy® Award-winning producer, host and creator of MotorWeek, television’s original and longest running automotive series, John Davis. Other plenary speakers on this panel include President of Alliance AutoGas, Stuart Weidie; Vice President of Volvo Group North America, Dawn Fenton; and Regional Sales Manager of Cummins Inc., Patrick Campbell.

Day two begins with plenary panel Leadership Triple Play featuring Motivational Speaker & Scottsdale-based Leadership Development Coach Ramsey Bergeron of Bergeron Wellbeing, Lonnie Mayne of Red Shoes Living, Inc. and City of Orlando’s Facilities Management Division Manager David Dunn. Two other keynote plenary sessions are also on the agenda for Thursday, September 1: Industry Round Table: Delivering Electrons for Transportation Electrification and Industry Round Table: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Electric Vehicle Portfolio Planning.

Those interested in attending SFT 2022 can find out more during a free pre-conference webinar on August 9 from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. This preview will feature information on the breakout session topics and highlighted technologies of the program, as well as select presentations from a few of the speakers on the agenda for the conference. Register for the preview webinar for free online now.

This year’s breakout session tracks are Vehicle Applications, Fueling Infrastructure, and Planning and Technology. Session topics will be:

  • Alternative Fuel Vehicle Case Studies
  • Hydrogen
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Biofuels
  • Local, State, and Federal Policies & Resources
  • Considerations & Opportunities for Rural Communities
  • Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)
  • Managing Fleet Charging Equipment
  • Fleet Performance & Safety
  • Sustainable Garage & Facility Operations
  • Natural Gas
  • Idle Reduction

Pre-conference events on Tuesday, August 30 include:

  • NAFA Sustainable Fleet Management Training | 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Ride & Drive with Cenntro | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Triangle Electric Vehicle Summit  | 12 – 2 p.m.
  • NAFA 100 Best Fleets | 2:30 – 5 p.m.
  • Green Fleet Awards | 5 – 5:30 p.m.
  • Networking & Reception Event | 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Fleets and stakeholders can take advantage of early bird pricing through July 29, 2022 to register for $199. General admission early bird pricing for SFT 2022 is $249 and will increase to $299 after Friday, July 29. Registration for groups of 3 or more is $149 each, and $50 for students. For additional details, contact Heather Brutz at hmbrutz@ncsu.edu.

Don’t miss out on future updates for the 2022 Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference- sign up for the clean transportation newsletter! More information about SFT 2022 can be found online here. Register for the conference here.

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center hosts the annual Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference as part of its mission to advance a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices and policies.

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The 50 States of Electric Vehicles: Federal Infrastructure Funding and Managed Charging Programs in Focus During Q1 2022

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Raleigh, NC – (May 4, 2022) The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q1 2022 edition of The 50 States of Electric Vehicles. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

The report finds that all 50 states and the District of Columbia took actions related to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure during Q1 2022 (see figure below), with the greatest number of actions relating to rebate programs, grant programs, rate design for vehicle charging, and state procurement of electric vehicles.

A total of 627 electric vehicle actions were taken during Q1 2022, with the most active states being Massachusetts, Illinois, California, New York, Minnesota, and Hawaii. Activity in these states was largely driven by numerous bills related to electric vehicles. So far in 2022, 21 states have enacted legislation related to transportation electrification.

Q1 2022 State and Utility Action on Electric Vehicles

The report discusses three trends in electric vehicle actions taken in Q1 2022: (1) states planning for federal electric vehicle infrastructure funding, (2) utilities developing active managed charging pilot programs, and (3) state lawmakers addressing charging infrastructure siting issues.

“With the passage of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act last year, many states are taking steps to plan for the use of electric vehicle infrastructure funding that will be flowing down to the states,” said Autumn Proudlove, Senior Policy Program Director at NCCETC.

The report notes five of the top policy developments of the quarter:

  • Washington lawmakers approving a light-duty vehicle electrification target;
  • Utilities filing new managed charging pilots in North Carolina and Wisconsin;
  • Missouri regulators approving new utility transportation electrification programs;
  • The Governor of North Carolina increasing the state’s zero-emission vehicle adoption target; and
  • Georgia legislators adopting a resolution to study transportation electrification.

“Utilities and regulators are examining plans to meet the needs of expanding EV charging networks and broader EV deployment. This quarter, we saw proposals for managed charging programs and targeted EV charging tariff designs,” says Vincent Potter, Policy Analyst at NCCETC.

Potter added, “The managed charging programs would give utilities information about the vehicle’s charging status and allow them to interrupt and resume charging according to larger grid demands. Tariffs that offer discounted electricity during low-use times have had some broad success and some utilities are moving to offer EV charging-specific time-of-use rates. The goal of both of these tools is to charge EVs when strain on the grid is lowest.”

View the 50 States of Electric Vehicles Q1 2022 Quarterly Report Executive Summary

View and Purchase the 50 States of Electric Vehicles 2022 Q1 Update FULL Report

View other 50 States Reports – Solar, Grid Modernization and Electric Vehicles

ABOUT THE N.C. CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CENTER

The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center, as part of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University, advances a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices and policies. It serves as a resource for innovative, sustainable energy technologies through technology demonstration, technical assistance, outreach and training. For more information about the  Center, visit: http://www.nccleantech.ncsu.edu. Twitter: @NCCleanTech

MEDIA CONTACT: Shannon Helm, NCCETC, 919-423-8340

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Getting North Carolina Ready for Electric Vehicle Charging

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Electrification of transportation is exciting and challenging. Market forces are already pushing us in the direction of electric vehicles (EV), but our electric “refueling” infrastructure is lagging. Public and private investments are being made and more are coming in the form of grants, incentives, and substantial federal investments. In North Carolina alone, VW Settlement funds will bring ~$10 million this year.  And the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) National EV infrastructure program (NEVI) will invest more than $109 million each year over the next five years in North Carolina.  

Now, our challenge here in North Carolina is to prepare for this influx of funding, to ensure we are ready for it, and that we use it effectively and efficiently. This guidance document helps the reader understand how to get ready and where to find detailed guides for different aspects of building the new EV charging infrastructure.  

There are many many “guides” already published, so we sorted through them to find the best and give pointers to them all. Now, you can easily find the best resources for you in our guide to the guides: Getting North Carolina Ready for Electric Vehicle Charging. We encourage local government planners, managers, fleet officers, and finance & purchasing administrators to be aware of this “guide to the guides.”

Let’s get ready!

What You’ll Find in The Guide

Getting North Carolina Ready for Electric Vehicle Charging covers:

  • Charging for homeowners
  • Charging for renters (apartment, townhome and condo dwellers)
  • Charging at work
  • The state of EV charger deployment in North Carolina
  • Locally-sourced North Carolina EV charging guides

  • Links to several valuable guides from organizations like:

    • The U.S. Department of Transportation
    • The Cadmus Group (in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation)
    • Advanced Energy
    • Plug-In NC 
    • The City of Raleigh
    • Sourcewell
    • NC Department of Administration
    • North Carolina Sheriff’s Association 

>> Click here to view the full guidance document.

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North Carolina Organizations Can Apply for Phase 2 VolksWagen Funds to Electrify their Fleets & Expand EV Infrastructure

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The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality is now soliciting proposals for participation in Phase 2 of the NC Volkswagen Settlement Mitigation Program. Phase 2 is the final phase, and the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) plans to invest the remaining $67.9 million settlement funds during the time period of 2022 – 2024.

The funds represent North Carolina’s share of the $2.9 billion federal settlement with Volkswagen (VW) due to its misrepresentation of diesel emission standards in certain vehicles. The Division of Air Quality (DAQ) was designated as the lead agency to manage the project in 2017 by Governor Roy Cooper, and Wilmington Trust officially named North Carolina as a State Beneficiary in January 2018.

SHIFTING GEARS IN PHASE 2

The DAQ is committed to ensuring that the funding is distributed equitably and that rural and lower-income counties receive funding. It is also conducting additional outreach to historically under-resourced counties to encourage more applications for the available funding to facilitate equitable use of the Phase 2 funds.

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) is partnering with the DAQ to host a series of public information sessions across the state to inform citizens about the VW Settlement Phase 2 funding opportunities, especially in Historically Under-Represented Counties. The Phase 2 Historically Under-Resourced County Outreach Program (HURCOP) aims to help counties that historically lack resources needed to effectively identify eligible vehicles for grant programs and submit quality applications.

The DAQ identified 37 Historically Under-Resourced Counties eligible for maximum funding amounts allowed by the VW Mitigation Consent Decree. Project applications in the 37 historically under-resourced counties may be eligible for the maximum funding amounts allowed as well as additional project scoring points.

Alrik Lunsford, Heather Brutz, and John Bonitz, with NCCETC’S Clean Transportation program, have conducted several in-person meetings with DAQ staff and will be attending the information session in Kernersville, NC on March 24 from 1 – 3 p.m.. Learn more about the in-person information sessions on the DEQ website and, if you are interested in attending, please register online. You can also find the presentation for the HURCOP information meetings online on the DEQ website.

Past HURCOP In-Person Information Sessions hosted by NCCETC & DEQ:

  • Henderson – February 23, 2022
  • Rocky Mount – February 23, 2022
  • Pembroke – February 24, 2022
  • Goldsboro – February 24, 2022
  • Elizabeth City – March 9, 2022
  • Hickory – March 10, 2022
  • Salisbury – March 16, 2022
  • Wadesboro – March 16, 2022

“These funds are a big opportunity for advancing transportation electrification and other alternative fuels across the state,” Brutz said. Brutz noted that settlement funds can be used to incentivize fleet transition to help reach new targets set by Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 246. The Order calls for an increase in registered ZEVs to at least 1,250,000 by 2030 and for 50% of sales of new vehicles in North Carolina to be zero-emission by 2030.

While developing the plan, the DEQ’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) sought input from North Carolinians across the state to determine how to allocate the funds over the duration of Phase 2. Phase 2 focuses will prioritize vehicle electrification projects. Public agencies, public and private non-profit organizations, as well as public/private partnerships are eligible for Phase 2 funding.

In Phase 2 of North Carolina’s VW Settlement Mitigation Plan, 80 percent of funds are allocated for the Diesel Bus & Vehicle Replacement Program and 15 percent of funds for the state’s Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Program. Through the Diesel Bus & Vehicle Replacement Program, 40 percent of Phase 2 funding will go towards replacing school buses, 20 percent of funding will be eligible for transit bus replacements and another 20 percent will be eligible for clean heavy-duty equipment and vehicle replacements.

The DEQ’s ZEV Infrastructure program was designed to expand the state’s ZEV charging infrastructure network along priority designated corridors. After receiving feedback from state agencies in Phase 1, the DEQ created a dedicated allocation for light-duty charging projects. The DEQ will also coordinate with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to determine optimal locations for installing EV charging stations for state fleet vehicles and attractions on state owned property.

BREAKDOWN OF VW SETTLEMENT FUNDS IN PHASE 2

DEQ is managing the VW settlement funds for Phase 2 through five programs:

  1. School Bus Replacement Program – Application deadline June 6, 2022
  2. Transit and Shuttle Bus Replacement Program – Application deadline May 2, 2022
  3. Clean Heavy-Duty Equipment and Vehicle Replacement Program – Applications open soon
  4. Diesel Emission Reduction Act Program – Application period closed
  5. Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program

Approximately $54.4 million in settlement funds will be available in Phase 2 for the Diesel Bus and Vehicle Program, which has been divided into three subprograms: School Bus, Transit and Shuttle Bus, and Clean Heavy-Duty Equipment and Vehicle Programs. The DEQ has released a program Request for Proposals (RFP) for the School Bus and Transit and Shuttle Bus Replacement Program for Phase 2, and the last program RFP will be released in April 2022.

The School Bus Program, which began accepting applications on March 7, 2022, will allocate $27.2 million in VW funds in Phase 2 of the program to assist interested parties to mitigate NOx emissions by replacing older diesel school buses. The DAQ is hosting an informational webinar for interested applicants and stakeholders on March 25, 2022 from 10 AM to 12 PM. During this webinar, DAQ staff will discuss the School Bus Program RFP and application requirements. Register for the webinar online.

In Phase 2 of the Transit and Shuttle Bus Program program, $13.5 million in Volkswagen funds are allocated to assist interested parties to mitigate NOx emissions by replacing older diesel transit and shuttle buses. Additionally, approximately $6 million has been allocated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for electric buses in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program eligible counties.

The DAQ is currently accepting proposals for the DC Fast Program – Priority Corridors until May 16, 2022. This program is designed to continue the expansion of the state’s ZEV fast charging infrastructure network along priority designated corridors with the $4.9 million in VW allocated for Phase 2. The DC Fast Program – Existing Site Upgrades RFP to allocate the remaining $2.1 million Phase 2 ZEV Program funds will be released in April 2022 on the DEQ’s website.

The Level 2 Charging Program is divided into four separate programs designed to expand the state’s light duty ZEV charging infrastructure and network. $3 million in VW funds are allocated in phase 2 of the program. The DEQ released an RFP on February 28 for the Phase 2 Level 2 State Agency Program in which $1 million in funds have been allocated to install Level 2 electric vehicle charging infrastructure at state-maintained facilities and attractions. The DAQ is accepting applications for the Level 2 State Agency Program until May 31, 2022.

The DAQ also released the RFP for Public Access Level 2 Charging Infrastructure Program rebates under Phase 2 of the Volkswagen Mitigation plan. The RFP details how to apply for the $1,070,877 available to fund the installations of new publicly accessible light-duty ZEV Level 2 charging stations. Eligible, complete applications will be selected for funding on a first-come, first-served rebate process until funds are exhausted. Applications for the Level 2 Public Access Program will open in the GMS on May 2, 2022.

For updates about in-person and virtual information sessions as well as future RFPs and funding opportunities, you can visit the DEQ’s Phase 2 – VW Settlement website. If you would like to receive email updates about this topic, please send an email with the word Subscribe in the subject line to daq.NC_VWGrants@ncdenr.gov.

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The 50 States of Electric Vehicles 2021 Annual Review & Q4 2021 Update

Transportation Electrification Plans, Fast Charging Networks, & Underserved Communities in Focus During 2021

Raleigh, NC – (February 9, 2022) The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its 2021 annual review and Q4 2021 update edition of The 50 States of Electric Vehicles. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

The report finds that, for the second year in a row, all 50 states and DC took actions related to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure during 2021 (see figure below). The greatest number of actions related to rebate programs, rate design, electric vehicle registration fees, and charging station deployment.

2021 State and Utility Action on Electric Vehicles

The report highlights ten of the top electric vehicle trends of 2021:

  • Utilities working to develop fast charging networks;
  • Dedicated support for low-income customers and underserved communities;
  • Utilities continue to file expansive transportation electrification plans;
  • Growing attention on medium- and heavy-duty vehicle electrification;
  • States and utilities using rebates to advance transportation electrification;
  • Consideration of demand charge alternatives based on load factor;
  • Growing use of the make-ready deployment model;
  • States setting zero-emission vehicle procurement targets;
  • Utilities developing managed charging programs; and
  • Policymakers addressing local barriers to charging infrastructure development.

 

“Policymakers continued showing strong interest in electric vehicles, introducing a large number of innovative bills to expand the market for electric vehicles,” observed Brian Lips, Senior Policy Project Manager at NCCETC. “Utilities, for their part, also demonstrated creativity in exploring ways they can participate in building out the necessary infrastructure to fuel the growing market.”

A total of 775 electric vehicle actions were taken during 2021, with activity increasing by 30% over 2020. The report notes the top ten states taking the greatest number or most impactful actions in 2021 were California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Mexico, Hawaii, New Jersey, Colorado, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Nevada.

“Many states looked beyond the electrification of personal transportation towards non-personal transport,” noted Rebekah de la Mora, Policy Analyst at NCCETC. “Policies regarding commercial fleets, government fleets, or medium- and heavy-duty vehicles cropped up, leading the way to a more holistic landscape for transportation electrification policy.”

In Q4 2021, 43 states and DC took some type of action on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. A total of 414 actions were tracked in Q4.

View the 50 States of Electric Vehicles Q4 Quarterly Report and Annual Review Executive Summary

View and Purchase the 50 States of Electric Vehicles 2021 Q3 Update FULL Report

View other 50 States Reports – Solar, Grid Modernization and Electric Vehicles

ABOUT THE N.C. CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CENTER

The N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center, as part of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University, advances a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices and policies. It serves as a resource for innovative, sustainable energy technologies through technology demonstration, technical assistance, outreach and training. For more information about the  Center, visit: http://www.nccleantech.ncsu.edu. Twitter: @NCCleanTech

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2021 Sustainable Fleet Technology Webinar Series

The 2021 Sustainable Fleet Technology Webinar Series came to an end last month after bringing together industry leaders and top performing fleet managers to share real-world deployment examples of sustainable fleet technologies through 15 webinar sessions. The full webinar recordings are now available online, including strategies for achieving fleet management from nationally recognized fleets.

The 2021 Sustainable Fleet Technology Webinar Series (SFTWS) was offered through a collaborative partnership between the NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC), The 100 Best Fleets and NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA). “The fleet operations and strategies shared in the SFT Webinar Series are the gold standard in the industry,” said Richard Sapienza, director of NCCETC’s Clean Transportation program. 

Each SFTWS session included in-depth presentations from fleets honored in The 100 Best Fleets in the Americas, an award program that recognizes peak-performing fleet operations in the government fleet section. Originally founded by Tom C. Johnson, The 100 Best Fleets was acquired by NAFA earlier this year to expand their awards and recognition programs.

The first session of SFTWS, 4 Essential Traits for 2021 & Beyond, highlighted 3 fleet managers who successfully increased fleet efficiency, productivity and operational effectiveness, propelling their fleets into The 100 Best Fleets. The webinar panel included the only fleet manager to take 3 different fleets into the top 100, a manager of a first place winner of The 100 Best Fleets and one who was in The 100 Best Fleets for 20 years straight.

The top 100 best fleets in the Americas for 2021 winners were announced in a SFTWS webinar in April, celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of top fleets and their teams. In Best Practices of the Top Fleets of The 100 Best Fleets 2021, the top fleets shared how they distinguished themselves among 38,000 public fleets in North America. 

“These sessions are intended for the entire team to listen in,” Sapienza said. “Fleets can use it as an opportunity to benchmark their operations with knowledge that can be applied immediately.”

The SFTWS also included several sessions focused on alternative fuels including electric vehicles. In the United States, public and private fleets are taking steps toward transitioning away from conventional fuel vehicles but still have uncertainties about the complex process of electrification. While electric vehicle (EV) adoption is forecasted to expand for private citizens, fleets with thousands of vehicles have many more steps to take before they will be able to phase out old vehicles.

Fleet managers can learn more about the comprehensive involvement needed to plan, coordinate, budget and execute fleet electrification from a panel of experts in the session Fleet Electrification Planning.  “Electrification is inevitable, it’s coming,” said Electrification Coalition’s Jared Walker. “We want to be a resource to provide best practices, strategy, market forecasting and all manners of assistance to our partners as they’re going through this transition.”

Several EV deployment cases were presented in Real World EV Durability, Long Term Maintenance & Operating Cases and Electric Vehicle Use Case Deployment Examples to share lessons and methods for successful EV deployment from the fleets already doing it. 

ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY FLEET MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS FROM THE 2021 GREEN GARAGE WINNERS

The Green Garage Contest Winners Announcement 2021 concluded the SFTWS by highlighting the innovative and simple ways to “green the maintenance garage”. Winning contestants showed comprehensive top to bottom commitment to green vehicle maintenance and environmentally friendly facilities features and systems.

The Green Garage Contest, organized by NAFA, first launched in 2020 with support from NCCETC, No Spill Systems, RinseKit and the United Soybean Board. The contest was created to bring together the most progressive and environmentally-committed fleets to share the best practices for eco-friendly vehicle fleet maintenance garages.

Tom C. Johnson, author of the Green Fleet Awards and the Green Garage Contest, is the Director of the Green Garage Contest. The winners of the contest are the “best of the best stewards of the environment” Johnson said. 

AND THE WINNER IS…

The Central Fleet Management (CFM) department in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia tied with the University of California Irvine Fleet Services for the Green Garage’s number one fleet for 2021. 

Previously, CFM ranked as the number one fleet for The 100 Best Fleets in 2017 for its guiding goals of operating an environmentally sound fleet, preventing the wasteful use of our resources and practicing environmental stewardship.

CFM prides itself on setting the example for sustainable operations, and it became the first department in the city to start a recycling program in 2005. According to the Fleet Manager George Hrichak, the recycling program has generated over $190,000 in revenue so far.

The University of California Irvine is also no stranger to sustainability, earning second place in the 2020 Green Garage Contest for its research on electric buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells. “They are leaders in hydrogen,” noted Johnson.

2021 GREEN GARAGE CONTEST TOP 10 FLEETS:

  1. Tie
Central Fleet Management, City of Chesapeake, VA The University of CA, Irvine
  1. West Valley Construction, CA
  2. Miami-Dade County, ISD Fleet Management Division, FL
  3. Laketran, OH
  4. Village of Oak Park, IL 
  5. University of California Davis Fleet Services
  6. NYC Parks Department, NY
  7. City of Long Beach, CA
  8. Cobb County Fleet Management, GA
Sustainable Fleet Technology Webinar Series 2021:

Click on the webinar titles below to watch the full recording.

 

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