North Carolina is becoming a leading state for EV and battery manufacturing and charging infrastructure workforce development. Government funding and significant investment from automakers, battery suppliers, and energy companies are driving economic output growth in the state.
In total, 16,300 jobs have are being created in the EV sector in North Carolina, and more than 230,000 jobs across the United States. As of June 2025, $20.4 billion in private investments have been poured into the North Carolina EV manufacturing industry, spurred by approximately $314 million in federal funding. Prominent North Carolina investments are shown on the map below.
These investments are bolstering American manufacturing and supply chains, which is critical at a time when China has a head start in the global transition to electric transportation. Read more about how electric vehicles can benefit North Carolina.
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North Carolina has taken important steps toward an electrified transportation future, with actions by the state government, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, including utilities and EV-related companies.
Outdated laws in North Carolina are standing in the way of consumers’ freedom to buy the vehicles of their choice. These restrictions on car and truck buyers are obstructing economic growth and blocking North Carolinians’ access to the latest automotive technologies.
Check out our Freedom to Buy page for more information on the subject.
Federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are key piece to ensuring fast and equitable adoption of EVs and distribution of charging infrastructure. Below is a list of awarded federal funding in North Carolina:
The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program provides federal funds to build a reliable, accessible network of public EV charging stations in all 50 states. North Carolina’s Department of Transportation has been allotted $109 million to build chargers along major highways and in communities across the state through public-private partnerships.
NEVI funds were frozen in February 2025, but the Federal Highway Administration issued updated guidance in August 2025, and states have since regained access to the funds they were allotted. The new guidance will streamline the program and provide states with greater flexibility when deciding how to use funds.
The Electrification Coalition will continue to work alongside the state and NEVI awardees to support the construction of a robust and reliable national charging network.
Two rounds of Clean School Bus program funding have been awarded so far, with North Carolina receiving 145 buses in total:
Funding year | Type | District Name | Number of Buses |
2024 | Grant | Durham Public Schools | 38 |
2024 | Grant | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 27 |
2024 | Grant | Cherokee Central Schools | 15 |
2022 | Rebate | Columbus County Schools | 9 |
2024 | Grant | Kannapolis City Schools | 8 |
2022 | Rebate | Mina Charter School of Lee County | 7 |
2022 | Rebate | Discovery Charter School | 6 |
2022 | Rebate | Bladen County Schools | 5 |
2022 | Rebate | Halifax County Schools | 4 |
2024 | Grant | Bertie County | 4 |
2024 | Grant | Maureen Joy Charter School | 4 |
2024 | Grant | Emereau Bladen Charter School | 3 |
2024 | Grant | KIPP Durham College Prep | 3 |
2024 | Grant | Cumberland County Schools | 2 |
2024 | Grant | Granville County Schools | 2 |
2024 | Grant | KIPP Halifax College Prep | 2 |
2024 | Grant | Madison County Public Schools | 2 |
2024 | Grant | Richmond County Schools | 2 |
2024 | Grant | Johnston County Schools | 1 |
2024 | Grant | Reaching All Minds Academy | 1 |
On August 12, 2025, regional leaders and industry experts gathered at the IONNA Apex Rechargery in Apex, NC, to spotlight the EV industry’s transformative impact on North Carolina’s economy and the region’s emergence as a national hub for EV innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development. Learn more.
Executive Director Ben Prochazka is featured in this video highlighting how North Carolina stands to benefit from transportation electrification. With supportive federal policies, NC can secure thousands of new jobs, billions in investments, and savings for consumers, all while contributing to U.S. national and economic security.
On October 4, 2023, the Electrification Coalition convened policymakers and industry representatives from across the Southeast in Charlotte, NC, to discuss issues affecting rural transportation electrification in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Areas of focus included workforce development, the role of utilities in the transition, battery recycling, and more. Click here to view speakers and relevant resources on the event page.
On May 5, 2023, the Electrification Coalition and local and state leaders met for a roundtable discussion on vehicle electrification in rural North Carolina. The purpose of the event was to offer insights into the best practices, funding opportunities, and community needs to ensure the greatest influence on electric transportation. This includes buses, fleet vehicles, and charging infrastructure in rural North Carolina. There was a particular emphasis on workforce development and job opportunities that can be created by electrification infrastructure expansion plans.
According to the fourth annual Transportation Electrification in the Southeast report, published by Atlas Public Policy in collaboration with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, North Carolina topped 70,000 electric vehicle registrations as of June 2023. Read more transportation electrification milestones from states across the Southeast in the report.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has published a guide titled Electric Vehicle Charging in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Beyond that takes readers through the different charging options in and around the park!
Amy Malaki is the head of policy and sustainability at SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas, pioneering global leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production and supply. Prior to SkyNRG, Amy was the associate director for the transportation portfolio at the ClimateWorks Foundation where she developed philanthropic investment strategies to advance a sustainable, equitable and low-carbon mobility system. She also pioneered the organization’s international aviation decarbonization strategy. Prior to that she focused on Asia business development at Better Place, a Silicon Valley electric vehicle network startup. She has a B.A. in Chinese and China studies from the University of Washington and an M.A. in international policy studies (energy and environment) from Stanford University.