Thomas Catenacci of the Washington Free Beacon reports on the latest evidence that electric vehicle mandates don’t make sense.
Vermont’s state government abruptly halted enforcement of its electric vehicle mandate law, making it the latest state to back off such a law as consumers continue to prefer gas-powered cars.
Vermont governor Phil Scott (R.) issued an executive order Tuesday directing the state’s Agency of Natural Resources to pause enforcement of the plan. Under the now-paused law, beginning later this year, automakers would have been forced to ensure EVs were a certain share of total car sales, a percentage that would incrementally increase every year until 2035, when a complete mandate would take effect.
According to the most recent industry data, EVs account for about 12 percent of new car purchases in Vermont. That is far short of the law’s initial requirement forcing 35 percent of model year 2026 cars sold in the state to be electric.
“We have to be realistic about a pace that’s achievable,” Scott said in a statement.
“It’s clear we don’t have anywhere near enough charging infrastructure and insufficient technological advances in heavy-duty vehicles to meet current goals,” he continued. “We have much more work to do, in order make it more convenient, faster, and more affordable to buy, maintain and charge EV’s. When we do, it’s more likely everyday Vermonters will make the switch.”
Scott’s action represents a significant loss for climate activists who have made EV mandates a centerpiece policy of their broader agenda to boost green energy nationwide and fight global warming. It also makes Vermont the latest state to roll back a statewide EV mandate: Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware have also withdrawn or modified plans to mandate EVs.
The governor’s decision is a setback for California, whose 2022 Advanced Clean Cars law makes it possible for states to mandate EVs.
