Driving consumers into the future.
But only if we adopt policies allowing them to take the wheel.
The journey to cleaner transportation starts with a roadmap. With properly-funded purchase rebates and expanded EV charging infrastructure, we can power the adoption of this revolutionary shift in how Virginia drives.
What do cars and trucks look like on Virginia roads?
Overwhelmingly, vehicles today are still internal-combustion engines, powered by gasoline. Less than 1 percent are fully electric.
How many charging stations are in Virginia?
About 2,100. We’ll need a lot more to fully adopt EVs and keep the pace of a state like California, the nation’s leader.
Hand motorists the keys with EV Incentives and Infrastructure.
A promising start
In 2021, the Virginia General Assembly and Governor Ralph Northam enacted a groundbreaking package of measures to boost electric vehicle adoption in Virginia.
Those new laws included a new rebate program to cut the cost of buying an EV and new state emission standards.
While new legislation is a good start, the state budget is where the rubber really meets the road. Unfortunately, the budget didn’t set aside any money for rebate incentives or to boost EV infrastructure even as the state adopted more stringent emissions standards. The 2022 session of the Virginia General Assembly offers the opportunity to provide the kind of funding that can change that.
Virginia Drives Electric Town Hall
In late 2021, Virginia pro-EV group Generation180 hosted a virtual town hall focused on transportation electrification with Virginia General Assembly members Jennifer Boysko, Scott Surovell, David Reid, and Jennifer McClellan. VADA’s Don Hall was the “Virginia Drives Electric” guest speaker. He offered insights on the EV experience, where manufacturers stand on EVs (hint: they are no longer investing heavily in gas-powered vehicles), and what the Commonwealth can do to make EVs a reality.
Incentives
Rebates to drive EV sales
The primary key to unlocking more EV sales in Virginia is the new rebate program. If funded, rebates would provide up to $4,500 towards buying a new or used EV. Roughly $2,000 of that rebate is only available to people making three times the federal poverty level (in Northern Virginia with its high cost of living, for example, that rebate would disappear). Properly-funded incentives put more EVs within reach of motorists seeking a greener vehicle rather than those powered by traditional engines. And raising the rebate program’s income caps would make this incentive accessible to even more consumers.
In New York, EV sales surged 74 percent when that state created its electric vehicle rebate.
In Georgia, EV sales plummeted 90 percent after its being incentive was phased out.
Which road will Virginia take? That’s up to us. There are multiple ways to fully fund these rebates, including federal and Virginia’s budget surplus. An investment of $200 million in coming years would go a long way to bridging the price difference between an EV or one with a gas-burning engine.
Infrastructure
Charging stations to spark EV adoption
With Virginia’s roadways flanked by gas stations, the EV future needs ready access to charging stations to keep consumers rolling.
Although EV ranges per charge are on the rise, further investment in an EV charging network is a crucial piece to encouraging motorists to come along for the ride by buying their first EV.
Rural parts of our state, in particular, present a hurdle to EV adoption as car buyers wonder if there will be a charging network that gets them where they need to go.
EVs: A key step to a greener future.
A cleaner transportation future will be powered by a grid with more renewable energy.
We know EVs alone won’t solve all of our emissions problems, but they are an important piece of the puzzle. What’s also crucial is providing an energy grid electric vehicles plug into that increasingly relies on renewable energy to power EVs and the rest of our state’s economy.
Virginia Dealers: All in for EVs.
Virginia’s automobile dealers are on the front line of the Commonwealth’s journey to greater EV adoption. Dealers are investing millions of dollars to train staff and retool their service departments to maintain the next generation of vehicles on Virginia roads. More than 65,000 people work at Virginia’s dealerships, with good-paying jobs in sales, service, and management. And they know the future of their industry increasingly relies on selling EVs. They know these vehicles aren’t just good for their business. They also provide a reliable and more environmentally friendly form of transportation for their customers. Dealers are here to answer consumer questions about EVs, making them ambassadors for this leap in transportation technology.
Legislative contacts.
If you are a legislative aide or public/elected official with questions or comments about EVs, reach out to either of our government affairs contacts directly. For consumers with questions about EVs, email us.
Ralston King
Anne Gambardella, Esq.