Number of electric vehicle purchases rise in NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — More North Carolinians are purchasing electric vehicles. 

Thursday Governor Roy Cooper announced the state hit its goal of 80,000 zero-emission vehicles by 2025, two years earlier than expected. 

Heather Brutz, Transportation Director for the NC Clean Energy Technology Center, told CBS 17 she’s not surprised.

“I think that more and more people are understanding what a great choice an electric vehicle can be to drive, they’re better for the environment, they’re quieter,” said Brutz.

The number of EVs registered is a stark contrast compared to just six years ago when Governor Cooper signed the executive order setting the goal.

At that time only 10,000 EVs were registered in the state.

Brutz points to government programs, more EV companies coming to the state and updated technology in vehicles as a reason for the increase.

“Back in 2015 some of the electric vehicles that were for sale, they were really commuter vehicles but now basically any new vehicle that you’re going to be buying that’s an electric vehicle has a range of at least 200 miles if not 300 miles,” said Brutz.

As more people purchase EVs there’s also a need for more electric charging stations.

“There are a number of policies, both state policies and federal policies, that are helping to promote putting in infrastructure that are going to go and continue the support of the charging of vehicles and that’s going to go and remove a barrier and make people feel more comfortable about the choice,” said Brutz.

Governor Cooper says in the coming weeks the North Carolina Department of Transportation is expected to release a request for new proposals for the first round of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, also known as NEVI.

The program will help build DC fast chargers along major highway corridors across the state.