Duke Energy is installing up to 530 electric vehicle, or EV, charging stations within its Florida service through 2019. It is unclear how many of those will be in St. Pete.

ST. PETERSBURG – The city of St. Petersburg announced it will take part in Duke Energy’s Park and Plug – a pilot program that encourages clean transportation through the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.

“No sustainability and resiliency strategy is complete without a plan for reducing the number of gasoline-powered cars on the road – and increasing the number of electric vehicles,” St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said. “In order to do that, we want to ensure we have the infrastructure to accommodate those electric vehicles. That’s why being a part of Duke’s Park and Plug pilot program is so important. I want to thank everyone at Duke Energy for being our partner in this important initiative.”

Duke announced last month that it will install installing up to 530 electric vehicle, or EV, charging stations within its Florida service area that will provide the necessary infrastructure network to promote and support the benefits of clean electric transportation.

Duke is working with various communities and groups to install the units for public use in multi-unit dwellings, workplaces and locations with broad public access, such as sites with high traffic or in major corridors. Host sites are being selected through an application process. Additionally, 10 percent of the charging stations will be installed in income-qualified communities to make the benefits of cleaner electric transportation available to all customers.

“I’m excited about the opportunities the Park and Plug pilot program will provide for St. Petersburg residents and visitors,” said Catherine Stempien, Duke Energy Florida president. “We are committed to providing smarter, cleaner energy alternatives for all our customers and we’re proud to partner with the city of St. Petersburg on several initiatives. In addition to this program, Duke Energy is also helping to promote cleaner transportation by funding the initial charging infrastructure for Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s electric buses and cleaner energy through a solar installment at the Pier.”

It is unclear how many EV stations will be installed in St. Petersburg or where they will be located. Once station locations have been selected, the City will work directly with NovaCHARGE LLC, a leading national EV charging solutions provider selected by Duke Energy, on equipment installation.

St. Petersburg officials say they are committed to delivering progressive, sustainable policies and effective programs to address environmental, economic, and social challenges facing the Sunshine City.

For information about St. Petersburg’s sustainability programs, go to stpete.org/sustainability.

St. Petersburg | Duke Energy | Environment | Electric Vehicles | Tampabay News

#StPetersburg #DukeEnergy #Environment #ElectricVehicles #TampabayNews