Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) Program
Project Overview:
Triangle Clean Cities, in partnership with the City of Durham, is working to increase awareness and accessibility of electric mobility solutions through the Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program. This initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), supports community-driven clean energy goals by providing expert guidance, tools, and data-driven analysis. Our goal is to create a community hub at city events to educate and engage residents on electric vehicle (EV) financing, charging infrastructure, and workforce development opportunities in the region.
Project Objectives:
- Increase Public Awareness: Address barriers to EV adoption by providing education on costs, incentives, and benefits of electric mobility.
- Community Engagement: Host interactive events where residents can test drive EVs and provide feedback to inform future infrastructure planning.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Connect local organizations, property managers, charging providers, financing entities, and workforce development programs to streamline EV adoption efforts.
- Workforce Development: Highlight training and certification opportunities in clean energy sectors to expand job access.
Community-Driven Approach:
In Fall 2023, the City of Durham and Triangle Clean Cities conducted outreach to gather input on e-mobility needs. One key finding was that underserved communities showed limited interest in EVs due to high perceived costs and lack of exposure. To address this, Durham will integrate EV displays and test-drive events at city gatherings, ensuring accessible information and engagement opportunities for all residents.
Key Activities:
- Attend 2-3 city-hosted community gatherings to refine project strategies.
- Establish agreements with EV manufacturers and local dealerships for vehicle showcases.
- Extend invitations to stakeholders, including EV charger providers, utilities, financing entities, and workforce training providers.
- Develop bilingual marketing and translation materials.
- Coordinate event logistics, including Spanish and English presentations.
- Conduct post-event surveys to collect community insights.
- Analyze survey results to inform future deployments of EV infrastructure and outreach initiatives.
Regional Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing:
This initiative will foster partnerships across the Research Triangle (Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill) to facilitate knowledge exchange on best practices for EV adoption and infrastructure deployment. Insights gathered will help shape future transportation electrification strategies and funding allocations.
Final Deliverable:
Triangle Clean Cities and the City of Durham will host two "Ride and Drive" events to provide hands-on experiences with electric vehicles and gather community feedback. These events will be held at:
- City of Durham's Earth Day Festival – April 27, 2025
- Durham's Bimbé Block Party – May 14, 2025
These events will feature EV test drives, educational sessions, and opportunities to connect with industry stakeholders. Feedback collected through surveys will inform the city’s electrification planning and future deployments of EV infrastructure. A final report will summarize event outcomes, survey findings, and actionable recommendations to expand EV adoption in Durham and the broader Triangle region.
Get Involved:
For more details and to participate in these events, check out our event flyer below! Triangle Clean Cities welcomes residents, businesses, and stakeholders to join us in advancing clean transportation solutions for a more sustainable future.
