NORTH CAROLINA DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK
2024
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the transportation sector is shifting to electric vehicles (EVs), which supports a strong economy, provides jobs and new high-tech manufacturing opportunities, saves money, reduces dependence on foreign fuels, and increases choice of transportation; facilitating access to EVs and charging infrastructure supports tourism and recreation in communities across the state;
WHEREAS, North Carolina has established itself as an integral part of the United States’ EV supply chain, with nearly two dozen companies and manufacturers focused on charging stations, batteries, lithium inputs, electronic controls, and electronic devices used in motors; innovation in clean transportation and battery technologies is advanced by the collaborative effort of North Carolina’s colleges and universities, local municipalities, economic development agencies, businesses, manufacturers, and others
WHEREAS, North Carolina’s transportation sector contributes nearly 36 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and emits other air pollutants, which harm the health of our residents and the sustainability of our communities; and
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, which was reached in November 2023, and the 2019 N.C. ZEV Plan, 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, directed the Department of Transportation to create a Clean Transportation Plan, emphasizes the importance of environmental justice and equity in the state’s transition to a 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 sales by 2030; and
WHEREAS, there are over 100,000 plug-in hybrid electric and battery electric vehicles registered in North Carolina and more than 4,400 EV charging ports; North Carolina has received and awarded more than $92 million from the Volkswagen Settlement, and is expected to receive $109 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and will significantly increase access to EVs and charging infrastructure in rural communities across the state; 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 27 – October 6, 2024, as “NORTH CAROLINA DRIVE ELECTRIC WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.
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Roy Cooper
Governor
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.