While the US federal government is moving towards standardizing fast charging infrastructure and installing the first national network of chargers on highways, North Carolina may be heading in the opposite direction.
NC Representative Keith Kidwell, along with his colleagues, Representatives Ben Moss of Richmond County, Mark Brody of Union County and George Cleveland of Onslow County, last week filed House Bill 1049 – one of the most anti-EV bills in the country. up to now.
Titled “Equitable Free Vehicle Fuel Stations,” the proposal seeks to remove free charging stations in North Carolina and ban electric vehicle charging on government properties. That is unless free gas and diesel gas stations have “fair” availability.
This is how the representatives fight against ‘injustice’
First, the bill wants businesses (restaurants, etc.) with free charging stations to print at the bottom of every receipt how much of the customer’s bill goes towards subsidizing charging – whether the customers use the service or not.
How exactly stores should calculate these fees is unclear unless they can accurately determine how much business comes in as a result of the free recharge. The logistics don’t really work here.
But even if there is a way, it doesn’t really matter. How does offering free electric car charging differ from spending on advertising or offering free Wi-Fi? They all come from the same operating budget aimed at attracting as many customers as possible.
Second, the bill aims to ban the use of public funds (from the state and local governments) for free EV charging on public land, unless fossil fuels are also provided for free.
That’s where things really start to get insane, simply because it would be impossible to install free gas stations. The higher price of gasoline compared to electricity would require greater public resources, which in turn would require heavier taxes.
And if the reps are so concerned about wasting taxpayers’ money, shouldn’t taxes be spent improving your planet (and life)?
In short, the provisions of the bill are clear: no more free EV chargers just like that.
It’s not justice to kneel the EV shot
Realistically, nothing good can ever come from implementing such measures. What we’re looking at is a clear anti-EV polemic, provocatively disguised as ‘equality’.
Let’s take a look at the last part of the bill:
Fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in one-time funds have been allocated from the General Fund to the Department of Transportation for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the purpose of removing electric vehicle charging stations that do not comply with the provisions of this Act. .
In fact, this will come into effect from July 1, regardless of whether the above provisions are codified into law. It makes no sense, does it?
So there you have it: The problem isn’t free chargers, but EVs in general.
The reality is that this bill is designed to gain support from gullible people who believe that charging electric vehicles is expensive and has no greater benefits than the cost.
But let me make one thing clear: offering free charging is not a matter of discriminating against ICE owners, nor favoring “a wealthy few” who can afford an EV – it is a necessity.
At 27%, transportation generates the majority of US greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate this problem and move closer to our climate goals, we have need the transition to electric vehicles — and any incentive that will help us do that.
Fortunately, the bill as a whole has not yet become law and must be voted on. If you live in North Carolina, or just don’t want the world on fire, you can visit the bill’s page and let the lawmakers know it’s downright stupid.
