On Friday, the Pinellas Suncoast Authority (PSTA) unveiled four new electric depot bus chargers, made possible by a federal grant and nearly $160,000 from Duke Energy.
The chargers are the first Duke Energy has helped to fun at a transit bus depot in Florida and are part of the company’s efforts to expand access to electric vehicle charging stations in the state. Data collected from the PSTA chargers will be used to learn more about electric transit bus usage.
“As we continue to be a more sustainable organization, it is vital that we work with businesses, like Duke Energy, to create a ‘greener’ future. We are excited that Duke Energy shares the same vision that PSTA does,” said PTSA CEO Brad Miller. “More chargers mean we can handle more electric buses and keep more of them on the road at the same time.’’
Duke Energy also invested nearly $100,000 to install two Level 2 chargers for PST employee use through the company’s Park & Plug program. Duke Energy launched Park & Plug in 2018, and at the time, pledged to install 520 stations across Florida. Since then, nearly 600 charging stations have been installed at local businesses, public locations, apartments and condo complexes, and workplaces.
“Duke Energy’s investment in regional charging infrastructure is one example of how we’re committed to providing smarter, cleaner energy alternatives for our customers,” said Sharon Arroyo, Duke Energy Florida vice president of government and community relations. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with PSTA and other customers to expand electric vehicle charging and help them meet their sustainability goals.”
The additional chargers take PSTA’s total to six. The chargers take an estimated four hours to recharge an electric bus fully. In addition, PSTA has ordered two more 40-foot electric buses to be delivered in 2022. Those buses will bring the total number of PSTA electric buses to eight.