Policies that promote electric vehicles mean better jobs
There is no denying Ohio’s long and rich history in automotive manufacturing. To stay successful, the industry has stepped up to meet the challenges of changing customer demands and advances in technology and design. As the CEO of Burhill Leasing here in Dayton, we see demand growing for hybrid and electric vehicles.
Locally, the Miami Valley is rising to meet these changing demands. Efforts led by the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission would result in eighteen new, publicly accessible EV charging stations in 11 communities across the area. The increase in charging stations sends a strong signal that our region is ready to encourage customers to consider EVs by making their use more convenient. This builds on the region’s long, rich history of technology development.
Unfortunately, we are not seeing the same willingness to embrace the advanced transportation future in our state policy. Currently, up-front and registration fees on hybrid and electric vehicles are among the highest in the nation. Ohio charges $200 for all-electric vehicles, $200 for plug-in hybrids, and $100 for internal combustion hybrids. When these fees are more than $100 per vehicle, the adoption of electric vehicles slows by as much as 20% in the first few years. This does not indicate to automakers that Ohio is ready to lead the way to a clean transportation future.
As auto dealers, we know the more we sell of a particular car model, the better inventory we will secure for our customers. Likewise, we should be doing everything we can to bolster the growth of EV sales and production in Ohio rather than taking a pass on bringing better jobs to the state. According to JobsOhio, our state’s automotive sector employs over 108,000 people. In 2018, the number of people employed in the EV sector increased by nearly 17%. Our workforce is ready to meet these demands, but we need our elected officials’ support.
This support can be reflected in the state’s upcoming transportation budget. Increased electric vehicle fees can be reduced, helping to offer greater incentives to buying an EV and demonstrating that our state is ready and willing to embrace innovation and new technologies. Business leaders in our area should be taking this opportunity to call on officials to take this step forward. Reducing the fees by half will not have a significant impact on the state’s transportation budget but will be an unmistakable message that Ohio will do what it takes to promote EV sales and development. The state has already invested significantly in Lordstown Motors to support them in bringing the first all-electric pickup truck to market. Why would we set obstacles in their way?
The last year has been challenging for all businesses in Ohio. Those of us in the automotive industry were not exempt. We all are looking for help in bringing our customers back while continuing to grow and expand our markets. It is my hope that Ohio will follow the lead of the Miami Valley and take that step forward. Reducing the EV fees to $100 for all-electric vehicles, $50 for plug-in hybrids, and eliminating the fees on gasoline-only hybrids will reinforce Ohio’s commitment to doing all we can to be leaders in the new manufacturing economy.