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Duke Energy has commissioned its Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid in Mount Holly, North Carolina. This first-of-its-kind microgrid offers a zero-emissions, carbon-free charging option for commercial and public electric fleet vehicles. The project aims to provide reliable fleet electrification to help businesses achieve sustainability goals while serving as a charging hub for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric vehicles.
Key Highlights:
- Zero emissions, carbon-free microgrid for fleet charging.
- Supports light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric fleet vehicles.
- Offers charging from the Duke Energy grid or from 100% carbon-free resources.
- Electrada partnership helps fleets with electrification by eliminating complexity and risk.
- Daimler Truck North America joins as a founding participant.
The new microgrid aims to serve as a model for utility-grade fleet electrification while also offering practical charging solutions. Duke Energy and Electrada collaborate to help commercial fleets design, deploy, and manage customized electric fleet depot solutions. These solutions include options to connect to the Duke Energy grid or leverage carbon-free power through the on-site microgrid. This facility features solar, battery storage, hydrogen, and other power generation sources to deliver a sustainable, dependable energy supply.
Electrada, a leader in electric fuel solutions, provides all required capital “behind the meter” for fleet owners. By eliminating charging price volatility and guaranteeing performance, Electrada ensures seamless fleet conversion. CEO Kevin Kushman stated, “This collaboration proves that electric mobility at scale is compatible with reliable and renewable grid service and will build trust in fleets who are ready to embrace the transition.”
The microgrid’s design includes six fleet charging stations ranging from 120 to 300 kilowatts (kW), along with two Level 2 chargers. This facility is unique in the U.S. as it supports medium- and heavy-duty trucking with a switchable charging source—either the grid or 100% renewable energy. This flexibility provides opportunities for stakeholders to test and validate the interoperability of software, vehicles, and microgrids, helping build confidence in electrification for even the most challenging settings.
The microgrid also acts as an innovation hub for studying charger use, energy management, and grid integration. Duke Energy is working to identify charging technologies suitable for a range of vehicles, from Class 1 pickups to Class 8 over-the-road haulers, which is intended to model an integrated, cost-effective path to fleet electrification.
Daimler Truck North America LLC has partnered with Duke Energy and Electrada as a founding member of this fleet charging program. Located adjacent to one of Daimler’s largest East Coast manufacturing facilities, the microgrid will support inbound logistics partners and demonstrate carbon-free charging technologies to future visitors. Jeff Allen, senior vice president at DTNA, said, “By providing seamless, carbon-free charging, the Fleet Mobility Microgrid enables our inbound logistics partners to operate with minimal environmental impact.”
Fleet Electrification and Environmental Impact
Fleet electrification is expected to have a significant environmental impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially in medium- and heavy-duty trucking. Electric vehicle adoption in the U.S. continues to grow, with the most recent quarter marking a record high in EV new car sales, reaching approximately 9% nationally.
Harry Sideris, President of Duke Energy, noted, “A collaborative approach to renewable energy has the potential to significantly shape a more sustainable, cleaner energy system.” As energy consumption in the U.S. grows—expected to increase by 50% by 2050 due to higher EV adoption—efforts like the Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid aim to ensure a sustainable and cleaner energy future.
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is one of America’s largest energy holding companies, serving over 8.4 million customers across several states. The company is committed to an ambitious clean energy transition with targets including net-zero methane emissions from natural gas operations by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. More information is available at duke-energy.com.
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