CHARLOTE, NC - The City of Charlotte has installed 26 charging stations in seven locations and has purchased eight electric vehicles for the City’s fleet. Both are pilot projects to determine the practicality of electric vehicles for Charlotte’s fleet and to gauge public use and demand for strategically-placed electric vehicle charging stations, according to a release from the City. The projects are two of the 17 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant projects funded with support from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The City purchased seven fully electric Nissan Leafs and one Chevrolet Volt. The Leafs are in use by the following departments: Engineering & Property Management, Department of Transportation, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department, Aviation, and Neighborhood & Business Services. There is a Volt and Leaf for use by City employees at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.

The charging stations will become available for use during the week of April 1. Charging station sites located on City-owned property each include one handicapped-accessible charging station space.

As an investment in supporting the use of electric vehicles, the City will not be charging users at City-owned stations for a limited time, as it is covered by the grant. Motorists using the charging stations can also subscribe to the ChargePoint network to reserve or check the availability of the stations.

A new element to the program is a partnership between the City and Charlotte-area Chevrolet and Nissan dealerships in the Power2 Charlotte campaign, helping to educate electric vehicle owners and the public about the City’s energy initiatives, according to the release.