City of Charlotte & Partners Launch Affordable Electric Vehicle Carshare Program 

SACE collaborates on pilot program to bring affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable transportation to apartment residents

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) joined the City of Charlotte for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch Carolina Carshare, a new electric vehicle (EV) carshare program. 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.

Residents and community members can reserve the Chevy Bolt EVs through an app for $5 per hour or $50 per day, which is inclusive of insurance and 24/7 member support. Charging the EVs at the apartment complex is easy and convenient.

Mayor Vi Lyles said, “This project is a perfect example of what it looks like when we align our values with action. 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.”

Heather Bolick, Charlotte’s Chief Sustainability and Resiliency Officer, added, “This car share program is a blueprint for climate-smart solutions. 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.”

Charlotte is one of just 13 cities nationwide and the only city in the Southeast selected to receive grant funding through the national Community Car Share pilot Affordable Mobility Platform (AMP), a program developed and managed by Forth to increase transportation access for residents in affordable housing while reducing carbon emissions in underserved communities. 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.

Courtney Cucchissi, Forth Program Manager, said, “Access to affordable, electric transportation shouldn’t be a luxury. The Carolina Carshare program reduces pollution and helps lower the high costs of vehicle ownership for those who need it most. The Affordable Mobility Platform tackles two challenges at once – the high cost of car ownership and poor air quality in underserved areas – by bringing affordable electric vehicles to low-income communities.”

Stan Cross, SACE’s Electric Transportation Director, said, “Charlotte was selected to host the regional EV carshare pilot because of the City’s commitment to advancing sustainability and delivering its benefits to all communities. Not only does bringing EV carsharing and charging infrastructure to affordable housing apartments provides moderate-income communities with the awareness of and access to the lower pollution and cost benefits that EVs offer, it also provides apartment residents with access to convenient on-property charging stations to support EV ownership at a time when affordable used EVs are increasingly available.”

Peppertree Apartments is the first of four Charlotte locations for the Carolina Carshare program. Program expansion will continue through 2025. The project aligns with the City’s Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP), which charts a course to become a low-carbon city by 2050 while building on the city’s commitment to sustainable growth through actions that promote a healthy community.

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