From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
Eleven states have tethered themselves to California's plan to ban internal-combustion-engine vehicles by 2035. Now, another has shown discomfort with the plan to force electric-vehicle (EV) mandates on 40% of the nation's population.
In a clear signal of growing resistance to California's aggressive emissions mandates, Vermont Governor Phil Scott on May 13 issued an executive order pausing the state's adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule. The regulation would have required 35% of all new light-duty vehicle sales to be electric by 2026, increasing to 100% by 2035--effectively banning the sale of new gas-powered cars.
Scott's executive order cites Vermont's inadequate EV-charging infrastructure and concerns over the readiness of electric heavy-duty vehicles. He emphasized the need for a balanced, locally grounded approach that maintains consumer choice without rushing into mandates that the state is not equipped to support. SEMA, along with automakers and other industry groups, has echoed these concerns and warned about disruptions and constrained markets if the ACC II policy is implemented as planned.
The move follows similar actions by the governors of Maryland and Delaware, signaling a shift in states' feelings on California's one-size-fits-all policy model.
SEMA continues to advocate for technology-neutral government policies that support small businesses, protect consumer freedom and foster innovation across all fuel and powertrain types. While Vermont's pause offers breathing room, SEMA maintains that lasting policy change requires ending EV mandates altogether.
Take Action
As more states reconsider these mandates, Vermont's decision could mark a turning point in how clean transportation goals are pursued at the federal level by favoring pragmatism over policy mimicry. We ask all enthusiasts, small businesses and defenders of vehicle consumer choice to write their lawmakers and tell them the focus needs to be grounded in local realities and the people they serve.
For more information, contact Tierra Hubbard, SEMA's senior manager for state government affairs, at tierrah@sema.org.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock