Governor Cooper wants 1.25 million electric vehicles on North Carolina’s roads by 2030.

That’s an ambitious goal, and it’s one that could cost the state billions in revenue that funds repair of our roads and bridges. As we have detailed electric vehicle owners don’t pay their fair share in taxes in North Carolina. Much of North Carolina’s road revenue is generated by gas taxes, and as more drivers transition to EVs, that revenue is declining. With Governor Cooper’s push, it could soon be in free fall.

The governor knows that, and he wants the legislature to find a “fair” solution to make up for the lost revenue. From a News & Observer story out today:

But drivers’ and car manufacturers’ shift away from gas-powered vehicles — and Cooper’s goal of 1.25 million electric vehicles by 2030 — will inevitably mean a steep decline in transportation revenue. That will jeopardize the state’s ability to keep roads and bridges safe — a problem for which Cooper hasn’t proposed a specific solution.

‘How are we going to pay for the promises that we have already committed to?” said (Senator Vickie) Sawyer, of Mooresville, who is also a transportation committee chair. “How are we going to pay for these new promises that are being made?”

And here’s Cooper in a recent Spectrum News interview:

“You know that when you’re taking away the gas tax, that you have to find a supplemental income,” Cooper said. “I think the challenge is making sure that it is fair.” 

“Fair.” We couldn’t agree more.

Here’s what Republicans and Democrats in the legislature can do to make sure everyone pays their “fair” share for our roads:

• Ensure EVs and Hybrids pay their fair share via new registration fees.
• Ensure all taxpayer dollars derived from transportation-related goods and services help maintain our transportation system.
• Ensure that all users of our transportation system (think E-Commerce delivery trucks and Ride-Share) pay their fair share.