In the last decade, electric vehicles — a.k.a., cars that are powered by a battery + electric motors, rather than gasoline — have soared in popularity across the globe. Research suggests that over 60% of prospective car buyers across all demographics have interest in electric cars, but “range anxiety,” or the fear of the car battery running out of power before drivers reach their destination or can recharge it, is a real deterrent for those considering electric vehicles.
In North Carolina, infrastructure for electric vehicle ownership, like publicly accessible charging stations, is lacking, despite the fact that seven of the state’s most populous cities — including Durham, Raleigh, Charlotte + Greensboro — are ranked on LawnStarter’s list of the nation’s 200 Best Cities to Own An Electric Car. And while Asheville didn’t make the list, we’ve seen more than a few electric cars on the roads here, so we know folks in the mountains are driving them, too. DYK that according to this site, there are 91 public charging station ports in the Asheville area?
So what sort of infrastructure does NC need to support the continued growth of the electric vehicle market?
🚘 More EV laws and incentives | These currently include exemptions from vehicle and emissions inspection requirements, use of North Carolina HOV lanes (regardless of the number of occupants), utility rate reductions, and parking incentives.
🚘 Reduced registration fees | In 2019, the NC Legislature considered bills in both the House and the Senate that would raise registration fees for electric vehicles, in an attempt to recoup gas taxes lost by the state. Opponents of these bills say increased fees discourage the purchase of EVs, which typically have a higher price tag already.
🚘 More chargers per capita | It’s not enough for our big cities to be outfitted with ample charging stations — drivers want to be confident that they can drive out of town or across the state and not run out of fuel. This means incorporating more stations along highways and interstates + at rural service stations.
Poll
