In January 2019, there were 7,002 Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles and 119,373 Hybrid Vehicles registered in North Carolina.  As of May 2023, there were 17,655 Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles and 179,583 Hybrid Vehicles registered in North Carolina.

However, North Carolina’s transportation revenue model has not kept pace with this emerging trend. Here’s what we mean: For decades, much of the state’s transportation funding has been generated by fuel taxes. Most people agreed this was a fair system – the more people drove, or the more wear and tear their cars put on our roads and bridges, the more they paid fuel taxes to help repair and maintain those roads and bridges. But now, with so many drivers choosing hybrid vehicles, hybrid owners aren’t paying their fair share for using the same transportation system as gas-powered vehicles.

The NC Moves Coalition conducted a research survey asking “likely general election” voters’ opinions on transportation funding considerations and potential solutions. Here are some snapshots of their opinions.

“North Carolina drivers contribute to state infrastructure investments through a combination of fuel tax and other taxes. The average hybrid vehicle in North Carolina has a fuel efficiency of 17.6 more miles per gallon than the state’s average vehicle. An analysis of DMV data indicates that hybrid vehicle owners pay $80 less than the comparable average driver that pays the gas tax. Would you support or oppose a hybrid vehicle registration fee that would result in hybrid vehicle owners contributing an equal amount in fees as average drivers?”

North Carolinians strongly support a vehicle registration fee for hybrid vehicles.

The strong support for a vehicle registration fee for hybrid vehicles is across all parties.

This map shows the number of registered Hybrid Vehicles by county. The darker orange the color, the more registered Hybrids. Scroll over a county to see the actual number registered.