Over 70,000 Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) are currently registered in North Carolina, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Governor Roy Cooper aims to have 1.25 million electric vehicles on the road in North Carolina by 2030, a target that exceeds the current registration figures.
The state has experienced a 55% increase in ZEV registrations from August 2022 to August 2023, indicating a growing interest in electric vehicles.
Anthony Johnson, a resident of Salisbury, observed a surge in EVs over the past 18 months and personally transitioned from gas cars to electric, significantly reducing his monthly expenses.
Johnson initially had reservations about electric vehicles, considering them to be "glorified golf cars," but his perspective changed after test-driving a Ford F-150 Lightning.
Johnson and his family now own three electric vehicles, influenced by a $7,500 tax credit eligible for his Ford F-150 Lightning, a benefit under the Inflation Reduction Act passed in August 2022.
The U.S. Treasury Department specifies criteria for the $7,500 tax credit, requiring at least 50% of a car's battery components to be made or assembled in North America, and 40% of minerals, such as lithium, to be processed in the U.S.
Duke Energy's incentives, including covering the home charger installation cost and a $19.99 monthly charging program, played a crucial role in Johnson's decision to adopt electric vehicles.
Duke Energy's home charging pilot program could potentially save Johnson $250 on his monthly electric bill, providing an additional financial incentive for EV ownership.
Toyota is investing nearly $14 billion in constructing a hybrid and electric vehicle battery factory near Greensboro, contributing to efforts to boost domestic production of electric vehicle batteries in North Carolina.