March 17, 2023

Our Priorities

NC Go Legislative Priorities

 

 

Solution

 

Revenue/Shortfall

Shore Up NCDOT funding to meet current project needs – including Helene recovery and increased project costs due to inflation

- $2 Billion+/year

Levy additional 1¢ NC Sales Tax* – dedicated to transportation to address recovery from natural disasters, inflation and system needs

$2.4 Billion/year

Reauthorize NC’s infrastructure bank; fund in part with additional 1¢ NC Sales

N/A

Initiate EV-only MBUF pilot project**

TBD*

Road Usage Charge (RUC) + weight factor for heavy electric trucks

TBD

Authorize counties to levy an additional ½ - 1¢ Local Option Sales Tax for transportation purposes to address communities’ safety, economic development and mobility needs. (Subject to public referendum)

N/A

Increase highway tolling by raising or removing the statutory cap on toll projects

N/A

Increase the Highway Use Tax (HUT) by 2 percentage points

$750 Million/year

Remove cap on P3 projects

N/A

* 1 cent in general sales tax would generate ~$2.4 Billion which could help cover costs related to natural disasters, costly fluctuations due to inflation, and the state share for federal grants requiring “local matches.”

** As of 8/2024, there were 80,000 EVs registered in North Carolina. EVs are required to pay an additional annual EV registration fee of $180, totaling $14,400,00. Owners of gas-powered vehicles (driving average miles per year) pay almost $225.

If those same 80,000 EVs were traditional gas-powered vehicles, driving an average 15,000 miles/year with NC’s average MPG (27MPG), they would generate $17,955,556 in Motor Fuels Tax – a difference of more than $3.5 MILLION.

Regardless of the type of fuel, all vehicles cause wear and tear on our highways and bridges, all drivers require signage, and safety measures. Given EVs are about 50% HEAVIER than a similar gas vehicle, they actually cause MORE roadway wear and tear and should pay more – or at a commensurate level.

For every 23,000 EVs on the road replacing a traditional gas-powered passenger vehicle (and paying less), the state loses about $1 MILLION.