Contact: Noah Barnes, Electrification Coalition
noah@electrification.org, (202) 461-2371
RALEIGH—A bipartisan group of North Carolina mayors, county officials, school leaders, and state legislators is calling on Congress to protect federal funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the upcoming highway bill, warning that cuts or rollbacks would jeopardize local investments, economic growth, and transportation reliability across the state.
In a sign‑on letter sent this week to members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation, 22 locally elected officials from communities large and small urged lawmakers to maintain federal commitments that are already helping bring EV charging stations to urban centers, rural communities, and key travel corridors statewide. They also expressed concern about a proposed federal EV tax that would require EV drivers to pay significantly more than drivers of internal combustion engine vehicles, and urged a fair, fuel-neutral solution.
The letter was organized by the Electrification Coalition and emphasizes that predictable federal funding is essential for long‑term planning, private investment, and access to charging infrastructure for North Carolina residents and businesses.
“EV charging is an economic development issue,” said Apex Mayor Pro Tem Terry Mahaffey. “As more families, businesses, and visitors use electric vehicles, communities with reliable charging infrastructure will be better positioned to attract investment, support local commerce, and meet the needs of a changing transportation market. Apex benefits when federal dollars help build that infrastructure here in North Carolina.”
Signatories include mayors from Raleigh, Huntersville, High Point, Apex, and Winston‑Salem; county commissioners from Mecklenburg, Duplin, and Randolph counties; local education leaders; and members of the North Carolina General Assembly. Together, the officials represent communities across the state and share a commitment to strengthening local infrastructure and economic competitiveness.
The full list of officials signing the letter:
- Councilmember Scott Andee-Bowen, City of Winston-Salem
- Board Member Natalie Beyer, Durham Public Schools
- Rep. Deb Butler, North Carolina General Assembly
- Mayor Christy Clark, Town of Huntersville
- Mayor Janet Cowell, City of Raleigh
- Commissioner Jesse Dowe, Duplin County
- Sen. Michael K. Garrett, North Carolina Senate
- Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert, Town of Apex
- Councilmember Regina Hall, City of Winston-Salem
- Commissioner Hope Haywood, Randolph County
- Commissioner Karen Howard, Chatham County Board of Commissioners
- Mayor Cyril Jefferson, City of High Point
- Councilmember David Joyner, City of Wilmington
- Mayor Pro Tem Terry Mahaffey, Town of Apex
- Sen. Julie Mayfield, North Carolina Senate
- Board Member Liz Monterrey, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Sen. Natalie S. Murdock, North Carolina Senate
- Councilmember Joseph Peel, City of Elizabeth City
- Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, Mecklenburg County
- Superintendent Otis L. Smallwood, Bertie County Public Schools
- Sen. Caleb Theodros, North Carolina Senate
- Commissioner Yvette Townsend-Ingram, Mecklenburg County
“Expanding our EV charging infrastructure is critical to ending our dependence on oil for transportation, particularly at a time when gas prices are spiking,” said Ben Prochazka, executive director of the Electrification Coalition. “Powering vehicles with domestic electricity is cheaper for consumers and insulates them from the price volatility associated with gasoline. Congress should protect funding for EV charging and stop an unfair EV tax to protect American economic and national security.”
The officials note that EV charging investments support local jobs, reduce drivers’ fuel costs, and help North Carolina remain competitive as automakers and manufacturers continue to invest heavily in electric transportation.
North Carolina has already begun deploying EV charging stations along major highways and in local communities, leveraging federal funding to attract private investment and improve access for drivers. Local leaders warn that disrupting this funding would delay projects that are already in progress and undermine confidence among private partners.
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About the Electrification Coalition: The Electrification Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes policies and actions to facilitate the widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on a mass scale to overcome the economic, public health and national security challenges that stem from America’s dependence on oil. ElectrificationCoalition.org