Stein calls on Congress to preserve electric vehicle industry tax credits in Raleigh speech
Gov. Josh Stein speaks with reporters after addressing attendees at the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: "Future Forward Energy." (Photo: Christine Zhu/NC Newsline)
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein on Wednesday voiced strong support for retaining and strengthening the state's electric vehicle industry. Speaking at an Institute for Emerging Issues forum entitled 'Future Forward Energy,' at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Stein said he has communicated with the state's congressional delegation about the urgency of keeping tax credits designed to support the EV industry.
U.S. House Republicans passed a budget reconciliation bill last week that would eliminate several tax credits for electric vehicles, a move that advocates say will harm North Carolina's EV industry.
The cuts would undo tax credits leading to 16,300 jobs and $20.4 billion in investments in the state, according to nonprofit Electrification Coalition.
'Companies make investments based on policy, and there has to be certainty, there has to be settled expectations, or else they do not know how to invest,' Stein told reporters.
He emphasized the importance of drawing businesses to the state to boost its economy and create jobs.
'Many of them have made major business decisions about investing in North Carolina,' Stein continued. 'We've got to preserve those credits so that the companies get the bargain that they struck.'
Addressing the conference, Stein spoke about the Energy Saver North Carolina program that he launched with Secretary of Environmental Quality Reid Wilson.
This initiative offers more than $200 million in rebates for income-eligible households for the installation of energy efficient appliances and other products, like heat pumps and insulation.
Stein said the program is an example of moving forward toward a clean energy economy, strengthening the economy, and putting money back into people's pockets.
'It is about moving forward. That is true nowhere more than western North Carolina,' he said, pointing to the devastation wrought last fall by Hurricane Helene.
Stein added that his administration has been 'laser-focused' on helping western North Carolinians recover since his first day in office.
He also addressed the issue of climate change and its effects on the state.
'As we do the difficult work of seeking the federal and state dollars and putting them to work and communities, we cannot ignore the fact that North Carolina is experiencing more extreme weather with increasing frequency,' he said. 'As we rebuild our energy infrastructure out west, we must be mindful of the need to adapt to a change in climate and insure greater resiliency for the future.'
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