Source: North Carolina’s State Fleet Electrification Analysis
Today, we published a new report in partnership with Environmental Defense Fund exploring North Carolina’s potential cost savings through fleet electrification. Using the Dashboard for Rapid Vehicle Electrification (DRVE) tool, the analysis revealed that by 2030, approximately 48 percent of the state fleet (3,852 vehicles) could be cost-effectively electrified, resulting in nearly $19 million in savings from 2025 to 2030, an average of $8,200 per vehicle.
So what do these findings mean, and how might they help other fleets with their decision to electrify?
Key Takeaways for North Carolina and Other Fleets
Switching to electric vehicles where cost-effective can save millions in net-present-value—nearly $19 million by 2030 in North Carolina’s case—while also cutting transportation-related emissions. EVs often outperform gas-powered cars on total cost of ownership (TCO), which encompasses every dollar spent from purchase to retirement, including fuel, maintenance, and resale value. In many scenarios, these lifetime costs already favor EVs, particularly for high-mileage fleets that stand to see faster payback on their investment.
The report also finds that a convergence of federal incentives, declining battery prices, and emerging EV models makes now a perfect moment for both local government and private fleet owners to consider electrification. By lowering operating expenses, saving taxpayer dollars, and improving community air quality, fleets like North Carolina’s can demonstrate leadership that fuels broader EV adoption among fleets and governments looking to replicate these benefits.
Spotlight on Sedans: The Easiest Early Win
Among all vehicle types in North Carolina’s state fleet, sedans stand out as the biggest near-term electrification opportunity. According to the analysis, the state could replace over 3,000 sedans with electric models—about three-quarters of its total sedan fleet—and net an average lifetime savings of around 13 percent per vehicle.
Sedans are a clear winner for electrification due to their competitive upfront costs, boosted by federal tax credits and a mature market of available EV models. Sedans in the North Carolina fleet also have on average a higher annual mileage, saving the fleet more in fuel and maintenance costs by going electric. Figure 1 compares the cost per mile of the most common sedan in North Carolina’s fleet, the Toyota Camry, with a comparable EV alternative, ultimately showing savings with an EV.
