North Carolina will be able to expand its electric vehicle charging network to 10 community colleges and better train the next generation of students on clean vehicle technologies, thanks to a $1 million Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The N.C. Department of Transportation received the grant award this week, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It advances the USDOT’s effort to develop a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations.

“We’re grateful to our federal partners for their continued support of North Carolina’s push for a clean energy economy,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins in a press release. “This grant not only improves access to convenient and reliable EV charging stations so more people will feel comfortable owning an electric vehicle. It also takes an important step to ensure our workforce has the education, knowledge and skills needed to sustain the clean energy transition.”

The $1 million grant will pay to install 20 Level 2 EV charging stations at 10 community colleges statewide. Level 2 chargers take between four hours and eight hours to charge a vehicle. Participating community colleges also will be able to add clean vehicle training courses that teach students how to build and repair electric vehicles and install, maintain and operate EV chargers.

Among the 10 community colleges set to receive funds is the local institution Fayetteville Technical Community College.  

The CFI grant adds to the $109 million North Carolina has already received in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program funds. State officials are using the $109 million in NEVI funds to develop an EV charging network along interstates, major highways and in communities.      

Visit the USDOT’s web page for a full list of CFI grant recipients announced this week.