Charlotte launches car share program at apartment complex

CHARLOTTE – The City of Charlotte celebrated the launch of a new electric vehicle car share program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 23 at Peppertree Apartments.

The initiative brings affordable, reliable and environmentally sustainable transportation directly to residents in one of the city's Corridors of Opportunity.

Peppertree Apartments, located in the Albemarle Road/Central Avenue Corridor of Opportunity, recently underwent $8 million in renovations to preserve affordability. The complex now features a fleet of shared EVs and charging infrastructure. Residents can reserve and use vehicles for daily errands, medical appointments and commutes without the high cost of car ownership.

"This project is a perfect example of what it looks like when we align our values with action," Mayor Vi Lyles said. "By investing in electric vehicle access in our Corridors of Opportunity, we're giving families the tools they need to reach better jobs, education and services, while building a more sustainable future for Charlotte."

Charlotte is one of 13 cities nationwide to receive grant funding through the national community carshare pilot, the Affordable Mobility Platform, also known as AMP. The program is designed to increase transportation access for residents in affordable housing while reducing carbon emissions in underserved communities.

"This car share program is a blueprint for climate-smart solutions," said Heather Bolick, Charlotte's chief sustainability and resiliency officer. "We're proud to bring electric mobility to where it's needed most and to show that clean transportation can be both practical and transformative."

Officials said the project aligns with Charlotte's Strategic Energy Action Plan, which charts a course to become a low carbon city by 2050.

AMP is a program developed and managed by Forth, with support from a coalition of national and local partners including the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition, Ascent Housing, Envision Charlotte and DreamKey Partners. The program will maintain, charge and manage vehicles to ensure long-term usability and affordability.

"This is more than a transportation solution, it's a housing stability solution," said Rebecca Hefner, director of the Housing & Neighborhood Services Department. "When families have access to dependable, affordable mobility, they're better positioned to succeed, and our communities grow stronger."

This is the first of four activations for Carolina Carshare. Program expansion will continue through 2025.