Duke Energy has commissioned the new Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid, its first-ever electrification center for commercial and public EVs.
Located in Mount Holly, North Carolina, it is the utility’s first carbon-free microgrid option for fleet charging on the grid.
Manufacturer Daimler Truck North America has joined Duke and Electrada, an EV charging solutions provider, as a founding partner in the fleet EV charging program.
According to Microgrid Knowledge, the goal is to create a model for utility-scale fleet electrification of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty EVs. Vehicles can charge through Duke’s grid or from the onsite solar and storage-powered microgrid, located at Duke’s Mount Holly Emerging Technology Office.
The Mobility Microgrid has six fleet charging stations, ranging from 120 kW to 300 kW, as well as two Level 2 Chargers. They are capable of charging any type of vehicle, from Class 1 pickup trucks to Class 8 over-the-road haulers.
“While fleet electrification in Europe and Asia has taken hold, this critical mobility microgrid effort in partnership with Duke Energy will help address and solve those electrical and performance issues unique to North America that challenge commercial adoption today,” said Kevin Kushman, CEO of Electrada, in a statement. “This collaboration proves that electric mobility at scale is compatible with reliable and renewable grid service and will build trust in fleets who are ready to embrace the transition.”
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