Community Drives Electric Mobility Forward at Raleigh Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrating Juneteenth, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and EVHybridNoire collaborated with Southeast Raleigh Promise (SERP) and Partners for Environmental Justice (PEJ) to host an engaging event at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA. This celebration not only highlighted community and culture but also emphasized the importance of clean transportation solutions. Residents from the area gathered for a day filled with diverse activities, including discussions on the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) and a survey on local transportation needs.
The event underscored the power of partnerships, allowing organizations to connect with residents and gather insights into their views on transitioning to clean energy.
Electric Futures Raleigh: A Vision for Community-Centric Transportation
Initiated last year with support from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Electric Futures Raleigh is a collaborative effort by SACE and EVHybridNoire. The two-year initiative aims to promote electric mobility by engaging local residents and leaders in shaping a community-centered strategy. Key partners, SERP and PEJ, lend their expertise and community connections to ensure that local voices are integrated into the planning process.
SERP, a part of the national Purpose Built Communities network, has been pivotal in fostering community growth and investment in Southeast Raleigh. The Beacon Site campus, opened in 2019, is a prime example of this vision, featuring affordable housing, educational and wellness services, and even level 2 EV charging stations.
The Electric Futures Raleigh project involves participatory research, such as surveys and focus groups, to gauge residents’ views on EVs and related infrastructure. These insights are vital for aligning Raleigh’s transportation electrification initiatives with community needs.
Raleigh’s Path to a Sustainable Future
The initiative aligns with Raleigh’s climate objectives, notably the ambition to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. With transportation responsible for about 52% of the city’s emissions, transitioning to electric vehicles is crucial. Electric Futures Raleigh is focused on identifying community-led solutions, enhancing access to EV workforce opportunities, and promoting clean transportation technologies for the benefit of all residents.
Raleigh is well-positioned to lead in the clean energy sector. North Carolina ranks ninth in clean energy employment, and the Research Triangle area is a global cleantech hub, hosting nearly 2,000 companies. Significant investments, like Toyota’s battery manufacturing plant in Randolph County, are expected to create over 5,000 jobs, bolstering the region’s role in the EV economy. These conditions make Raleigh an ideal setting to explore community benefits from the clean transportation transition.
As the project progresses, SACE, EVHybridNoire, and their partners are committed to ensuring that residents actively participate in shaping the city’s electric transportation future. Through various community engagement activities, the initiative aims to create a roadmap for accessible electric mobility that resonates with local priorities, enhances economic opportunities, and supports Raleigh’s climate commitments.
Original Story at cleanenergy.org