Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
Status Indicator: 
In Progress | 
On Hold | 
Complete/Ongoing
Initiative: 5.13 Purchase, install, and maintain electric vehicles and infrastructure (CNRE)
Thriving & Vibrant Environment
Description
Transitioning the City’s vehicle and transit fleets to electric is a key pillar of the City’s Carbon Neutrality and Renewable Energy Action Plan (CNRE). This plan commits the City to achieving 50% carbon neutrality by 2030 and 100% by 2040. To do this, the City is replacing light-duty cars, trucks, and transit buses powered by fossil fuels with battery electric vehicles and continuing to learn about and implement new technology as it arises.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
Fleet has been purchasing Electric and hybrid vehicles at a steady pace, with the focus shifting recently to replacing police cruisers with hybrid vehicles (as there is not yet a fully vetted electric alternative). Plans to expand the charging infrastructure continue, and General Services continues to work closely with Fleet Management and client departments to plan future installations.
City's electric/hybrid fleet
Why is it important?
Electrifying City vehicles and maintaining necessary charging infrastructure will reduce our carbon emissions and harmful air pollution. It will allow us to limit our reliance on fossil fuels and shift towards cleaner energy sources.
What have we been doing?
General Services and Fleet Management have continued growing Durham's electric vehicle fleet and charging infrastructure — while advancing a clean fuels transition that has dramatically reduced citywide fleet emissions.
Key activities include:
• Continuing EV vehicle deliveries, bringing the City fleet to 103 Electric, 291 Hybrid, and 16 Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Need to update these for Apr 2026
• Completing the Lot 32 Fast Charger Installation and Onboarding. The City now has a total of 92 EVSE plugs citywide with 20 more planned for FY26-FY27.
• Transitioning the diesel fleet to R99 (renewable diesel) and B20 (20% biodiesel blend), reducing total Fleet and Transit GHG emissions by 60% since FY21 — with the R99 transition driving a 50% reduction vs. FY24 alone.
What's next?
Efforts to expand EV fleet coverage and charging infrastructure will continue through the following activities:
• EV Vehicle Deliveries – Continuing to order and receive electric vehicles through the fiscal year.
• Take Home Charging Program – Scaling up the program to enable at-home overnight charging for eligible employees.
• Phase 1 EV Charger Construction – Completing design and beginning procurement and construction for 20 new EVSE plugs.
• Phase 2 Design – Initiating design work for the next phase of fleet charging infrastructure expansion.
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Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
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