Kinston Gets Federal Funds for EV Charging Station

Kinston is about to make life easier for electric vehicle drivers across North Carolina. The city has been selected to receive federal funding for a new charging station along U.S. 258, part of a $14.4 million statewide investment.

The funding comes from the National Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Program, known as NEVI. Eight businesses will build and operate charging stations at 14 locations across the state.

North Carolina received $109 million total through the federal program to partner with private companies on installing charging equipment. The funding reimburses businesses for costs related to purchasing, installing, and running the chargers.

"The number of electric vehicles registered in North Carolina continues to increase," said Heather Hildebrandt, NCDOT State Initiatives Manager. "By expanding our electric vehicle charging network, we're making it easier for everyone to travel confidently across the state, while supporting a cleaner, more modern transportation economy."

The Kinston station joins communities like Asheboro, Columbus, High Point, Raleigh, Wadesboro, and Weaverville in this second round of awards. Five charging locations already received funding in 2024.

The Ripple Effect

This expansion means more than just convenience for current EV owners. As charging stations pop up along highways and in smaller communities, range anxiety disappears and electric vehicles become practical for more families.

The network also opens doors for rural communities that have felt left behind in the electric vehicle revolution. When charging infrastructure reaches places like Kinston, it signals that clean transportation isn't just for big cities.

NCDOT expects the full charging network to be completed within three years. A later phase will focus specifically on communities and rural areas with greater needs, ensuring no one gets left out of this transportation shift.

As more charging stations light up across North Carolina, the state moves closer to a future where clean, affordable transportation reaches everyone.