Rising fuel prices and a push for greener initiatives have led many people to purchase electric vehicles (EVs). Notable for their fuel efficiency, EVs can be a cost-effective way to commute. The price of electricity in the United States averages 10 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and approximately 11 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in Southeastern, North Carolina. Typically, an electric car costs approximately 3 cents per mile—much lower than a gasoline car at 10 cents per mile. Besides lower fuel costs, EVs also serve as a greener alternative to gas or diesel vehicles. By reducing emissions, drivers help reduce the output of greenhouse gases.

According to the International Council On Clean Energy Transportation (ICCT) to support an electric vehicle stock of 26 million in the United States by 2030, public and workplace charging will need to grow from approximately 216,000 chargers in 2020 to 2.4 million by 2030, including 1.3 million workplace, 900,000 public Level 2, and 180,000 direct current fast chargers. The charging infrastructure network will also need to provide greater coverage for a broader set of drivers. About a million chargers will be needed at multiunit dwellings to support apartment residents and charging will need to grow at greater rates in many rural areas and across the Midwest and South.

The city of Wilmington currently has 66 public charging stations of which 7 are free. The city of Raleigh has 465 public charging stations of which 86 are free. Despite the pandemic, global sales of electric cars rose by 43% while overall car sales slumped by a fifth last year.

Cape Fear Solar Systems is no stranger to the EV Charging installation process as they have been installing Tesla and ChargePoint EV Chargers for several years now. Cape Fear Solar is CharePoint certified and a Tesla preferred installer. All EV Chargers installed by Cape Fear Solar are overseen by an in-house licensed master electrician. The company has already installed over 50 in-home chargers and expects to install hundreds more over the next couple of years as well as dozens of commercial charging stations. EV Chargers can be installed with or without solar panels, but more and more home and business owners are leveraging the power of the sun to fuel up.

Whether you already own an electric vehicle, or plan on owning one in the future, charging your EV with solar energy ensures that your driving is both cost-efficient and sustainable. The days of waiting in line at a gas station, may someday be a thing of the past.

Meet a few Cape Fear Solar Systems customers using their roof space to fuel their EVs:

Hear from our St. James Plantation Customer

Hear from our Wilmington Customer

Interested in an EV Charger for your home or business? Call Cape Fear Solar Systems at 910-409-5533 or visit capefearsolarsystems.com.

Robert is a Wilmington native that graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Economics and Environmental Studies. Robert is a NABCEP® PV Certified Solar Installer (#PV-041616-013206). The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP®) is the most respected, well-established and widely recognized national certification organization for professionals in the field of renewable energy. Robert has been a guest speaker for NABCEP, Wilmington Cape Fear Home Builders Association, Cape Fear New Home Sales & Marketing Council and several environmental groups. He has been featured in many publications, various news outlets and TV spots for his industry expertise. Robert oversees all commercial solar installations for Cape Fear Solar Systems and has worked with many well-known area businesses to help them increase business profits using solar energy.