New EV carshare in Charlotte targets equitable access to clean mobility

By Richard DeVayne · WCNC

In this mention

The City of Charlotte and SACE launched Carolina Carshare, an affordable electric vehicle carshare program designed to serve residents in underserved communities. The program places EVs and charging infrastructure at affordable housing locations like Peppertree Apartments, with hourly rates of $5 and daily rates of $50–$60. Stan Cross, SACE's electric transportation director, highlighted the two-year collaborative effort to address EV adoption barriers including awareness, accessibility, and charging infrastructure.

Over the past two years, we've worked with Forth Mobility, the City of Charlotte, and the Centralina Regional Council to make this pilot possible. Charlotte stood out because of its commitment to sustainability and ensuring all communities benefit.
Stan Cross

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New EV carshare in Charlotte targets equitable access to clean mobility

City and clean energy advocates partner to boost access and affordability.

It's all aimed at expanding access in underserved communities.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a major step toward clean and affordable transportation, the City of Charlotte, in partnership with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), officially launched Carolina Carshare Wednesday—an innovative, low-cost electric vehicle (EV) carshare program designed to serve residents in one of Charlotte's Corridors of Opportunity.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to be held at Peppertree Apartments on Central Avenue at 11am Wednesday morning, where new EVs and charging stations are now available directly within the affordable housing community. Residents there have said they've used the cars for months already.

Residents download an app and after setting up an account can rent the vehicles for hours or days at a time at a set rate. Hours are $5 and daily rates range between $50 to $60, according to the app. The PepperTree apartments are the first of several locations where the city plans to roll out these EVs.

"This program was designed with equity and access in mind," Heather Bolick, Charlotte's chief sustainability and resiliency officer, said. "These apartments were chosen because residents here face some of the greatest transportation challenges—and this is where we can make the biggest impact."

The Carolina Carshare program places electric vehicles and on-site charging infrastructure in neighborhoods where car ownership and access to clean transportation have traditionally been out of reach.

Stan Cross, electric transportation director for SACE, highlighted the long-term effort behind the project: "Over the past two years, we've worked with Forth Mobility, the City of Charlotte, and the Centralina Regional Council to make this pilot possible. Charlotte stood out because of its commitment to sustainability and ensuring all communities benefit."

Cross added that the program addresses two key EV adoption challenges:

Awareness & Accessibility – Bringing EV options to moderate-income communities.
Infrastructure – Offering convenient, on-site charging for apartment residents.

Speakers at the event included Mayor Vi Lyles, District 5 Council Member Marjorie Molina and Bolick.

The Carolina Carshare program is part of Charlotte's broader efforts to advance environmental justice, reduce emissions, and increase mobility options for all residents.

To learn more about the program or clean energy initiatives in the Southeast, visit cleanenergy.org