# North Carolina’s Raleigh Area’s Gonna Get Some Electric car Infrastructure Education and Preparedness Time!

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/11/north-carolinas-raleigh-areas-gonna-get-some-electric-car-infrastructure-education-and-preparedness-time/
- Published: 2010-11-03T18:28:58-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

**Source: Ford Motor Company**

Ford and Progress Energy will work together to develop consumer outreach and education
programs on electric vehicles as well as share information on charging needs and
requirements to ensure the electrical grid can support the demand.

“There is an incredible excitement for electric vehicles in the Raleigh area. To
support the rollout and acceptance of these vehicles in Raleigh and across the country,
it is crucial to work with local utilities to make sure the necessary electric infrastructure
is ready and to help consumers understand the technology choices they will have 
available to meet their transportation needs,” said David Finnegan, Electric Vehicle
Marketing manager, Ford Motor Company.

An easy charging station permitting process is considered one of the keys to electric
vehicle acceptance. [Ford Focus Electric Vehicle](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/11/ford-focus-electric-vehicle-the-future-of-zero-emissions/)

FYI, Progress Energy is also testing with Ford 20 plug-in [hybrid Ford](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/07/ford-fusion-hybrid-logs-impressive-quality-record-to-help-achieve-highest-hybrid-customer-satisfaction/)
Escapes to obtain data on durability, reliability and safety of the new battery 
technology.  That’ll help out with [vehicle to grid](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/electric-vehicle-to-grid-services-can-feed-stabilize-power-supply/)
applications as well as tapping into that power correctly.  The integrity of the
grid is essential to making this work!

“We are committed to developing the necessary infrastructure to enable widespread
use of electric vehicles to help our customers save money and reduce their impact
on the environment,” said Bill Johnson, chairman, president and chief executive 
officer of Progress Energy and co-chairman of the Edison Electric Institute CEO 
Taskforce on Electric Transportation.

“Although our companies are involved in two different industries, the work Progress
Energy and Ford do is more closely aligned than ever before,” he added. “Both companies
are finding new ways to meet our customers’ evolving needs, and both are doing so
while also seeking greener alternatives. This partnership will help us better serve
our customers when electric vehicles become widely available.”

Progress Energy has an advanced utility plug-in electric vehicle programs. In addition
to testing two plug-in hybrid Ford Escapes, the company owns seven other plug-in
electric vehicles for research purposes including the Southeast’s first plug-in 
hybrid electric utility bucket truck, and it is expanding its partnership efforts
with the auto industry to test additional vehicles. Progress Energy is developing
a charging station pilot program as part of a $200 million smart grid grant it received
from the U.S. Department of Energy. This will include installing about 600 stations
across the company’s territory in the Carolinas and Florida. The company has also
partnered with several universities on electric transportation initiatives, including
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University
and the University of Florida.

“**We believe we are on the verge of a major shift in the type of vehicle that the
American family can choose to drive,” said Rogelio Sullivan, associate director 
of the Advanced Transportation Center, North Carolina State. “As the ownership, 
driving experience and economics of these groundbreaking vehicles becomes favorable,
then we are on the road to sustainable transportation.”**

The partnership with Progress Energy was announced during Ford’s** “Charging Into
the Future – Ford’s Electric Vehicle Tour.”** The 14-city tour promotes Ford’s electric
vehicle strategy, educates consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles
and examines what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new
technology.

“The city of Raleigh has been working with Progress Energy along with the Rocky 
Mountain Institute and Advanced Energy as its ‘Project Get Ready’ partners,” said
Raleigh Assistant City Manager Julian Prosser. “The prospect of teaming with Ford
Motor Company to further prepare Raleigh for the coming of plug-in electric vehicles
as a new, cleaner means of motoring for our residents is a tremendous opportunity
that we welcome.”

_Electrification is an important piece of Ford’s overall product sustainability 
strategy that features a range of fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel technologies
including EcoBoost™ engines, six-speed transmissions, power-assisted steering, aerodynamic
improvements and lightweight materials. Ford’s electrification strategy also leverages
the most fuel-efficient powertrains, the most technically competent hybrids and 
its global vehicle platforms in order to develop affordable choices for consumers.
For more information on electrified vehicle technology,** visit **_**_[http://www.fordvehicles.com/technology/electric/](http://www.fordvehicles.com/technology/electric/)_**

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
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Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
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