FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2021

PSTA joins Duke Energy to unveil 4 new electric depot bus chargers

Two more electric buses ordered for 2022

St. Petersburg, Fla. –The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) today unveiled four new electric depot bus chargers (Click here for Video/Photos). The chargers, located in the bus lot at PSTA headquarters, were paid for through a federal grant along and nearly $160,000 from Duke Energy.

“As we continue to be a more sustainable organization, it is vital that we work with businesses, like Duke Energy, to create a ‘greener’ future. We are excited that Duke Energy shares the same vision that PSTA does,” said PTSA CEO Brad Miller. “More chargers mean we can handle more electric buses and keep more of them on the road at the same time.’’

The chargers are the first Duke Energy has helped fund at a transit bus depot in Florida as part of its efforts to expand access to electric vehicle charging stations in Florida. Data collected from the PSTA chargers will be used for learning purposes about electric transit bus usage. In addition to helping fund the four new DC fast chargers for bus use, Duke Energy also has invested about $100,000 to install two Level 2 chargers for PSTA employee use through its Park & Plug program. When Duke Energy launched Park & Plug as a pilot program in 2018, the company pledged to install 530 stations across Florida. Today, about 600 charging stations have been installed at local businesses, public locations, apartment and condo complexes and workplaces.

“Duke Energy’s investment in regional charging infrastructure is one example of how we’re committed to providing smarter, cleaner energy alternatives for our customers,” said Sharon Arroyo, Duke Energy Florida vice president of government and community relations. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with PSTA and other customers to expand electric vehicle charging and help them meet their sustainability goals.”

With the four new plug-in charges, PSTA now has a total of six. The chargers take about four hours to fully recharge an electric bus.

PSTA also is moving forward with ordering two more 40-foot electric buses, which should be delivered in 2022. With their delivery, PSTA will have a total of eight electric buses – the most in the region.

Each electric bus is powered by a rechargeable, environmentally friendly battery and averages 180 miles or five hours of operating time on a single charge. PSTA will save about $20,000 a year in diesel fuel costs with each electric bus, or $240,000 over 12 years.

“PSTA is continuously looking for ways to be innovative and sustainable,’’ Miller said. “Sustainability is what drives us, and that’s the word that should come to mind when residents see our new electric buses.’’
This latest investment in chargers and electric buses reflects PSTA’s continuing commitment to viewing every project and service through a sustainability lens. It also demonstrates how the agency keeps its focus on its triple bottom line: People, place and price.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Stephanie Weaver

PSTA Communications & Public Relations Manager

O: (727) 540-1853 | C: (727) 249-6542

E: Sweaver@psta.net

DUKE ENERGY FLORIDA: Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns a diverse generation mix of natural gas, coal and renewables, providing about 10,200 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.9 million customers in 35 counties across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida. Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities – with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

PSTA: The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is the public transit provider for Pinellas County, providing more than 12.1 million rides per year. PSTA operates 40 bus and trolley routes with a fleet of 210 vehicles.