FLAT ROCK, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A sizeable grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will help bring more electric vehicle (EV) chargers and educational courses to several community colleges across North Carolina, including one in the western part of the state.

A press release from the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) says a $1 million Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant (CFI) will pay to install 20 Level 2 EV charging stations at 10 community colleges statewide. Those colleges include:

  • Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock
  • Central Carolina Community College in Sanford
  • Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro
  • Fayetteville Technical Community College
  • Gaston College in Dallas
  • Martin Community College in Williamston
  • Nash Community College in Rocky Mount
  • Randolph Community College in Asheboro
  • Roanoke-Chowan Community College in Ahoskie
  • Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh

“We’re grateful to our federal partners for their continued support of North Carolina’s push for a clean energy economy,” state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said 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.”

NCDOT says Level 2 chargers take between four to 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.

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

CLICK HERE to see the full list of CFI grant recipients across the country.