South Raleigh News

In a significant development today, Governor Roy Cooper declared that North Carolina has exceeded its initial electric vehicle registration targets ahead of schedule, underscoring a notable shift for American drivers and emphasizing the urgent need to enhance access to electric charging infrastructure in the state.

Back in 2018, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 80, directing state agencies to assess their operations and establish ambitious objectives to reduce emissions, including boosting the number of zero-emission vehicles registered in North Carolina. The initial goal set was 80,000 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2025, a target that North Carolina has already surpassed in November 2023. This order also mandated the development of a clean transportation plan to ensure readiness for the imminent market transition towards electric vehicles.

"We knew the private markets were shifting to electric vehicles so we set bold goals that would help North Carolina communities be ready. Now it’s happening even faster than we anticipated," Governor Roy Cooper remarked, highlighting the importance of affordability and widespread availability of charging stations to drive the adoption of electric vehicles across the state.

The state's efforts have been commendable, with a significant increase in the number of accessible public charging ports, rising from 1,400 in 2019 to nearly 4,000 currently. Governor Cooper's subsequent Executive Order 246, issued in 2022, has set a new target of 1.25 million ZEVs on the road by 2030, with a focus on enhancing collaboration across state agencies and partners to ensure equitable access for all North Carolinians.

Furthermore, initiatives by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and the North Carolina Department of Transportation have seen the construction of numerous charging ports, supported by the North Carolina Volkswagen Settlement Grant Program. The state is also set to benefit from federal grant opportunities and tax incentives introduced as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

Looking ahead, the North Carolina Department of Transportation will soon initiate the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, aimed at deploying DC Fast Chargers along major highway corridors statewide. Additionally, cities like Durham and Kings Mountain have received grants to install chargers, particularly focusing on underserved areas, which is expected to boost local economic activity and create new investment prospects.

Governor Cooper's leadership underscores North Carolina's commitment to climate action and clean energy initiatives, ensuring the state is well-prepared for the ongoing transition towards clean transportation.