Arkansas Sees Surge in Electric Vehicle Registrations
The number of fully electric vehicles in Arkansas is on the rise, with registrations increasing by 69.4% in the first half of 2024 compared to last year. Hybrid-electric vehicles have also seen a 29.9% increase in registrations.
According to Scott Hardin of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, there are currently 6,895 electric and 41,652 hybrid vehicles registered in the state as of June 30. This marks a significant increase from the end of 2023, when there were 4,069 electric and 32,068 hybrid vehicles registered.
Lauren Waldrip, executive director of the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association, noted that the current growth in EV adoption surpasses any previous year, with projections indicating a 140% increase in 2024. This trend is expected to add over 1 million megawatt-hours to the state’s annual electricity demand by 2042.
Buddy Hasten, president and CEO of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc., highlighted the rising load growth due to EVs, which are projected to use significantly more electricity in the coming years.
As the adoption of EVs continues to grow in Arkansas and across the United States, there is a need for robust energy infrastructure to accommodate this shift. While the Biden administration has shown support for EVs, the transition will be gradual, allowing utilities to expand and upgrade the grid to meet the new demand. This proactive approach not only supports the increasing number of EVs but also presents new economic opportunities for the state.
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