Governor Proclaims North Carolina Drive Electric Week 2022

WHEREAS, Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order No. 80, North Carolina’s Commitment to Address Climate Change and Transition to a Clean Energy Economy, established a goal of 80,000 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2025, and the N.C. ZEV Plan was released in 2019, which included specific strategies to support this goal; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina joined in a Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) ZEV Memorandum of Understanding, which strives to make all sales of MHD vehicles ZEVs by 2050, with an interim goal of 30 percent by 2030; and

WHEREAS, Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 246, North Carolina’s Transformation to a Clean, Equitable Economy, directs the Department of Transportation to create a Clean Transportation Plan, emphasizes the importance of environmental justice and equity in the clean economy, increases the state’s goal for registered ZEVs to at least 1,250,000 by 2030, and increases the goal for the sale of ZEVs to 50 percent of in-state new vehicle sales by 2030; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina has distributed approximately $30 million of its $92 million from the Volkswagen Settlement and is expected to receive more than $109 million from the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill, a significant amount of which will increase electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure in communities across the state; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina’s transportation sector contributes nearly 36 percent of the state’s GHG emissions and emits other air pollutants, which threaten the health of our residents and the sustainability of our communities; and

WHEREAS, the transportation sector is shifting to EVs, which support a strong economy, save money, provide jobs, reduce dependence on foreign fuels, and increase transportation choice; facilitating access to EVs and charging infrastructure supports tourism and recreation, including in small towns and rural or underserved communities; and

WHEREAS, there are more than 44,000 plug-in hybrid electric and battery electric vehicles registered in North Carolina and more than 1,000 charging stations; and

WHEREAS, innovation in clean transportation is advanced by North Carolina’s colleges and universities, as well as collaboration with local municipalities, economic development agencies, businesses, and others; remaining at the forefront of energy innovation and a clean transportation economy will grow the state’s economy and create jobs; and

WHEREAS, the state of North Carolina encourages individuals and organizations to observe Drive Electric Week by learning about all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, and more and promote their use;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 23 – October 2, 2022, as “NORTH CAROLINA DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.