(The Center Square) – Zero emission vehicle registrations are in decline and charging stations for them are rising, says a report from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management in conjunction with Wednesday’s observance of Earth Day.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration, says the analysis, puts North Carolina No. 4 in America in solar power generation and No. 3 in installed solar generating capacity. The state agency says the report is indicative of “North Carolina’s investment in our planet.”
The move from combustion engine vehicles to zero emissions is nationwide, and the state has drawn attention as industry components have begun to take residence. The Budget and Management report says, measuring since 2018, all hybrid emission vehicle registrations peaked at more than 2.4 million in 2023 and is at 2.1 million through 2024.
Electric vehicle registrations were 25,307 in 2018 and have risen to 659,961 through 2024.
The report says in 2009, the state had a total of three electric vehicle recharging stations. The growth finally crossed 1,000 in 2016; was 1,909 in 2020; and is at 5,191 through 2024.
Measurements are given for 2010 and 2023 for tons of emissions through carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. Only particulate matter has not decreased, going from 20,561 tons to 20,744.5.
Sulfur dioxide has decreased from 148,982 to 18,855.6 tons; carbon monoxide from 76,798 to 33,406.3; nitrogen oxide from 88,072 to 43,050.4; and volatile organic compound emissions from 38,662 to 30,972.1.
