The City of Durham has just unveiled its very first public DC fast-charging station for electric vehicles (EVs), located smack in the heart of downtown on W. Chapel Hill Street. This strategic move comes as part of Durham's broader initiative to encourage EV usage among residents, further pushing the envelope on environmental and financial sustainability. According to an announcement from the City of Durham, the installation is backed by Duke Energy and partly funded by the Volkswagen Settlement via the State of North Carolina.
Featuring two plugs and harnessing the tech prowess of Kempower, a company that's carved out a significant presence in the EV fast-charging sector, the station isn't just serving as a beacon for green energy but is also a nod to local economic stimulation. In words attributed to Mayor Leonardo Williams, “Today marks another step forward in the City’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and opportunity. With this locally built EV fast charger in the heart of downtown, we’re not only reducing our community’s carbon footprint - we’re supporting local jobs, clean energy, and a more connected future for everyone who calls Durham home.”
Kempower's technology is designed to meet the increasing demands of EV drivers for rapid, reliable charging. Kempower North America President Monil Malhotra heralded the site’s launch as a significant milestone, indicating the firm's expanding footprint in North America. "Celebrating Kempower’s first public DC fast-charging site in Durham is a tremendous milestone for our team and a prime indicator of Kempower’s growth in North America and right here in the home of our North American headquarters," Malhotra stated in the City of Durham's release.
As EVs continue to rise in popularity across the nation, Kempower focuses on rolling out more charging solutions. North Carolina is becoming an eminent hub for clean energy, with more than 306 DC fast-charging locations, and over 1,385 ports strewn across the state. The charging site in Durham, operated in partnership with National Car Charging (NCC), Duke Energy, and Cary-based EV Revolution, not only promises to be a boon for locals but also for visitors frequenting the downtown area's amenities. Jim Burness of National Car Charging remarked on the partnership, saying, “Choosing Kempower for Durham was an easy call – unmatched reliability, world-class performance, and built right here in Bull City. The City of Durham is at the forefront of electrification, and National Car Charging is proud to help power that leadership.”
The new fast-charging facility, now ready for public usage at 111 W. Chapel Hill St., falls under the umbrella of the City of Durham's General Services Department. This department’s mission includes focusing on the sustainability and energy management of City properties.
