Electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for nearly 9% of monthly new vehicle registrations in Atlanta in January 2023 — up from 5.5% in January 2022, Axios' Joann Muller reports with Emma.

• Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y accounted for roughly half of the month's 2,222 new registrations, followed by Rivian's Amazon delivery vehicle for Amazon and the Chevrolet Bolt.

Why it matters: With a broader selection and some signs of moderating prices, mainstream car buyers are increasingly turning their EV curiosity into purchases.

Zoom in: The Georgia Legislature passed an overhaul this year of how the state regulates and taxes EVs to prepare for widespread adoption.

• It happened despite protests from environmentalists that the new fee structure was too high and would undercut the existing free charger network.

The big picture: Over the next few years Georgia will become a hub of EV production, including the newest Kia EV set to come to its West Point factory in 2024 and new plants currently under construction by Rivian and Kia's parent company, Hyundai.

Zoom out: Nationally, EVs accounted for 7% of new vehicle registrations in January, up from 4.1% in January 2022.

Reality check: Less than 1% of the 279 million cars and light trucks on American roads are electric.

Of note: Existing federal consumer tax credits for EV purchases are being reworked — again — in part to bolster U.S. manufacturing and reduce reliance on China.

• A list of qualifying vehicles will be announced in mid-April, but few of today's EVs are expected to meet the new standards.

The bottom line: EV-curious consumers have more choices now.

• There were 47 electric models available for sale in the U.S. at the end of January, up from 33 the prior year.

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The Hawks ended their regular season on a low note, Atlanta United snagged a point despite playing one man down and the Braves were no match for the Padres.

• Here's where Atlanta teams stood by the end of a sports-filled weekend.

Hawks: The Hawks locked up the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference and will play the Miami Heat Tuesday in the NBA's Play-In tournament at 7:30pm.

Braves: The Braves lost three of the four games against the Padres during a weekend series at Truist Park.

United: The Five Stripes battled New York City FC to a draw — not a bad outcome while playing with 10 men after Franco Ibarra received a red card in the 61st minute.

And for seven days, they said, let there be no light.

Driving the news: On Saturday, April 15 the International Dark-Sky Association kicks off a weeklong event to raise awareness about light pollution and celebrate remote areas where you can soak up star-filled skies.

• We're giving you the heads up about International Dark-Sky Week early in case you're itching for a road trip or want to splurge on a plane ticket to North Ronaldsay in the far northern reaches of Scotland.

Why it matters: Light pollution from cities confuses wildlife, wastes money and diminishes people's ability to stargaze.

Zoom in: Georgia's home to one IDA-designated Dark Sky Park: Stephen C. Foster State Park, one of the entry points to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

• You can also head north to the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute and Mayland Community College Earth to Sky Park in North Carolina. Or the Obed Wild and Scenic River in Tennessee.

Of note: These places are remote, so factor distance into your lodging plans. If Stephen C. Foster's campsites are booked, for example, consider spending the night in Waycross or Valdosta.

• And remember: Most of the IDA-designated Dark Sky places are open throughout the year.

Metro Atlantans without children would need about $67,000 in post-tax annual income to live comfortably in the region, per a new SmartAsset analysis.

Why it matters: While pay has increased year over year nationally, it hasn't been enough to make up for the rising costs of living, the financial advising company says.

Details: SmartAsset used 2022 data from MIT's Living Wage Calculator to determine how much it would cost for one person without kids to live in 25 large metro areas.

• They used the 50-30-20 rule, where 50% of after-tax income goes toward basic living expenses, 30% toward discretionary spending and 20% toward savings or existing debt.

The big picture: Nationally, salaries increased about 5% between December 2021 and December 2022 — but didn't keep up with inflation, which averaged 8% in 2022, per SmartAsset.

• On average, people across the 25 metro areas analyzed need $68,499 after taxes to live comfortably. That's up roughly 20% from a year ago when people needed $57,013.

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Lab Operations Supervisor at Children Health Care Atlanta.
2. Director of Corporate Relations at Zoo Atlanta.
3. Senior Manager, Business Strategy & Operations at Visa.

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✋ Gwinnett County nixed plans to use eminent domain to take land that a prominent Black family has owned for more than 100 years. (Gwinnett Daily Post)

🇹🇭 Summerhill's Talat Market will host a Songkran (or "water splashing") festival this weekend with Thai and Lao chefs from Atlanta and beyond. (Eater)

🔦 GDOT will spend $2.7 million to (finally) fix the lights in Georgia 400's Buckhead tunnel. (ANF)

🌎 Sandy Springs' plan to extend the Path 400 trail requires paying roughly $325,000 for disturbing Nancy Creek. (Rough Draft)