WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — North Carolina is slowly moving toward more electric cars.

What You Need To Know

  • The NCADA’s All In On EVs campaign launched earlier this year to promote consumer awareness of electric vehicle technology

  • Gov. Roy Cooper has set a goal of at least 1.25 million registered zero-emission vehicles in the state by 2030

  • It's why manufacturers are adding more electric cars and alternative-fuel vehicles to their fleets​

The North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (NCADA) launched an All in on EVs campaign earlier this year. It hopes to raise consumer awareness of electric vehicles.

The move comes as all car manufacturers are being required to make sure cars get a certain miles per gallon and range.

"General Motors would love to have, within the next two years, the ability to get any vehicle or any product line we sell with an EV option," said John Hiester, who runs Hiester Automotive Group.

The latest Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, standards from the U.S. Department of Transportation require an industry-wide fleet average of approximately 49 mpg for cars released in the model year 2026.

Hiester owns four dealerships in the Triangle. And even though electric cars make up only about 2%-3% of his sales, he is seeing that number grow every year. It's why Hiester is adding charging stations to all of his dealerships.

"It's a major commitment, but the more people drive EVs, the more they are going to need the higher-level charging stations.”

Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order in January setting a goal of at least 1.25 million registered zero-emission vehicles in the state by 2030.

But reaching that goal could be complicated. House Bill 1049 was filed by four Republicans in May.

It's called Equitable Free Vehicle Fuel Stations and would create strict rules for free charging stations for electric cars on private and public property. The bill has not been passed yet.