Apex has been awarded $24,000 to help fund Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations in the community. The funds were awarded as part of the North Carolina Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement Program.
“This grant moves us one step forward to our goal of 100% clean energy by 2050 for town operations,” said Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert. “Expanding our use of electric vehicles also ties into the council’s strategic goal of Environmental Leadership & Responsible Development.”
The 2050 clean energy goal includes the transition of Apex municipal vehicle fleet to plug-in hybrid vehicles or all electric vehicles.
A town fleet assessment is currently underway, which will result in a Right-Sizing Plan, Vehicle Replacement and Infrastructure Support Plan for the next 10 years, recommendations for efficiency of vehicle support, and an evaluation of how well the Town follows the best practices and recommendations for improvements.
This latest funding follows other grants the town has previously secured to fund its environmental goals.
The Town’s vehicle fleet is going green due to support from the NC Solar Center at NC State University, using federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funding provided by the NC Department of Transportation. The grant funding allowed the purchase of three all-electric Nissan Leafs, one plug-in, range-extended hybrid electric Chevrolet Volt, and two dual Level 2 EV chargers for municipal use.
The Town of Apex is recognized by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center as an NC Smart Fleet Supporter. As part of grant programs through NC State University, the NC Solar Center and Advanced Energy, three electric vehicle charging ports were installed in downtown Apex in 2018. The charging stations include an Eaton DC Quick Charger and GE Level 2 Dual Pedestal Charger.
Additionally, the Town of Apex was awarded the Air Quality Improvement Grant through the Clean Fuel Advanced Technology Project with the NCCETC in 2018. The grant funded a retrofit of three municipal bucket-lift trucks with electric power take-off units to reduce idling and reduce vehicle emissions.
