This is the second of two Spotlight Stories highlighting Plug-in NC’s all electric road trip to celebrate National Drive Electric Week and build awareness of electric vehicles and the growing number of EV charging stations available to drivers. The story highlighting the first four days of their trip can be viewed here. Posts and recaps from the trip can also be viewed on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
On Day 4, after stopping to charge at Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative’s DC Fast Charger at the Avon Pier, Wattson, an all-electric Chevrolet Bolt, and his driver Jacob continued the drive up North Carolina’s Outer Banks to Nags Head and Manteo, where Jacob surprised Wattson with a stop at the NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island.
In addition to encouraging the cost savings and environmental benefits offered by driving electric, the electric cooperatives’ network of charging stations also contributes to economic development, commerce and tourism in rural communities across North Carolina. The state’s electric co-ops now offer charging at major tourist destinations such as the N.C. Zoo, Raven Rock State Park, Jordan Lake, Hatteras Island, Emerald Isle and scenic mountain towns.
Day 5, Thursday, Oct. 1, featured a trek from Manteo up to Richmond, Va., including a stop in Edenton to charge. Wattson visited a different charging station, but Albemarle EMC recently installed a Level 2 charger at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Edenton to support travelers in the region. Day 6 included a jaunt across Virginia from Richmond through Charlottesville into the Blue Ridge Mountains that also offered a great campsite and plenty of charging availability.
Day 7, Saturday, Oct. 3, brought Wattson and Jacob back into North Carolina for a final charge at Surry-Yadkin EMC’s new DC Fast charger in Dobson, the first of its kind on a 121-mile stretch of I-77 and the first at a Circle K in North Carolina. SYEMC is planning to install an additional Level 2 charger in the visitors center parking lot at Hanging Rock State Park later this year.
After seven days, 12 charging stations and 1,245 miles, Wattson and Jacob completed a successful trip and returned back home, having demonstrated how convenient, easy and fun it is to drive electric.
“This trip was such a fun adventure. As EV advocates, Plug-in NC was concerned about our opportunities to have meaningful conversation (and fun) with the public during this year’s National Drive Electric Week. I hope that this journey reached some new audiences, piqued their curiosity about EVs and debunked a few myths along the way,” Jacob said. “I was most surprised by how easy and convenient it was to access charging through all stages of this trip. Stations installed by North Carolina’s electric cooperatives were so critical to connecting this itinerary and it’s clear that they are leading the way to a brighter energy future.”
Learn more about the many benefits of electric vehicles and the electric cooperatives’ growing network of EV charging stations at ncdriveelectric.com.