New EV charge station opens

WINDSOR – Roanoke Cooperative will formally open another Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station in the local area near here next week.

After forging a partnership with Bertie County Public Schools, this latest charger will be located on the campus of Bertie High School (716 US 13 North, Windsor). That charger will be used for an electric school bus awarded to Bertie County Public Schools.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new charger will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at the high school.

The ceremony will include remarks from Marshall Cherry, CEO of Roanoke Cooperative, and Dr. Otis Smallwood, Superintendent of Bertie County Public Schools.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Bertie County Schools to unveil our latest initiative in sustainable transportation,” said Cherry. “Through the EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program, we’ve electrified a new electric school bus, furthering our commitment to cleaner, greener communities.”

“We’re excited to unveil our new electric school bus charger, thanks to the EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program and our partnership with Roanoke Cooperative,” said Dr. Smallwood. “This initiative supports our commitment to sustainable transportation options for Bertie County Schools and advances cleaner air and a brighter future for our students.”

Others listed on the agenda to make remarks at next week’s event include NC House Representatives Bill Ward and Shelly Willingham, along with Reba Cooper Carlton, chair of the Bertie County Board of Education, a member of the Bertie County Board of Commissioners, and local EV owners Wanda Taylor Cofield and Allen Speller.

The new DC-Fast charging station will be available to charge the new electric school bus, providing a dedicated and convenient location for the school’s transportation needs. This project is also part of a broader effort by Roanoke Cooperative to expand EV infrastructure and support the transition to clean energy in northeastern North Carolina.

Roanoke Cooperative said its commitment to advancing renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions is demonstrated by installing these EV charging stations. The collaboration with Bertie County Schools supports environmental sustainability and serves as an educational opportunity for students to learn about clean energy technologies.

Roanoke Cooperative opened its first EV charging station in 2020 at its corporate headquarters located on NC 561 just west of Ahoskie. The Level 2 charger there is suitable for longer-duration charging times. Visitors to that office, as well as Roanoke Cooperative fleet and employees with EVs primarily use this charger. Roanoke Cooperative also has a Level 2 charger in Rich Square, mainly used for its electric fleet vehicles and its employees with EVs.

There’s another charging station for electric vehicles traveling on and near Interstate 95 in northeastern North Carolina. That station opened April 13, 2021 at the Oasis Travel Center (101401 NC 903) off the interstate at Exit 168 in Halifax County. That three-phase power charger enables EVs to receive a full battery charge in approximately 30 minutes vs. four to six hours for lower-phase charging stations, according to the company.

A little over two years later (Aug. 3, 2023), Roanoke Cooperative opened an EV charging station at Tar Heel Barbecue, located at the intersection of US 13 and US 158 in Gates County. That Level 3 charger operates on 480 volts and has an average charge time of 45 minutes.

Roanoke Cooperative officials say they are aware of the possibility of additional electric school buses coming to the local area during the next few years.

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