By Michael Bielawski
The governor’s office has announced special discounts regarding electric vehicles and gas car buyouts, the program is specifically seeking those who lost vehicles due to the recent floods.
“Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Agency of Transportation today announced it will again modify its vehicle incentive programs for Vermonters whose personal vehicles were damaged by flooding in an effort to provide increased financial support to households affected by last week’s flooding and to expedite the transition to plug-in electric vehicles.”
This means the government is going to use its funds to help purchase Vermonter’s gas vehicles and offer them discounts on electric vehicles, despite some red flags that the electric car industry is hitting roadblocks.
The governor states, “Me and my team are doing everything we can to give immediate relief to Vermonters as we continue to assess and respond to the needs,” he said. “This program will help those whose vehicles were flooded upgrade to a new vehicle that’s better for the environment.”
Some details on what’s being offered include the Replace Your Ride Program that allows up to $5,000 for those who swap in their gas- or diesel-powered cars for “cleaner transportation options.” If a vehicle is being replaced specifically for flood damage, there will be further special offers.
The release states, “The Incentive Program for New Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs), which currently provides up to $5,000 for a new purchased or leased PEV, will provide an additional $1,000 incentive (up to $6,000 total) to eligible Vermonters replacing a flood-damaged vehicle.”
There is also the MileageSmart Program, this program “provides up to 25% of a vehicle’s price, will automatically provide a full $5,000 incentive to Vermonters replacing a flood-damaged vehicle.”
Third it states that “Program participants may use these programs to bundle different state incentives, for as much as to $11,000 off the price of a new PEV and a maximum of $10,000 off the price of a used PEV, as well as with other local utility rebates and federal tax credits.”
Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn said, “As our Agency works to restore the state’s critical infrastructure, we also recognize the devastating personal losses sustained by Vermonters during the flooding last week. We hope that these changes to our vehicle incentive programs will help people who are struggling after the recent flooding and also help curb the worst effects of climate change.”
Paid for by taxpayers
The think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation in late 2023 published a study revealing that the true cost of EVs was much different than the average sticker price. That’s because of 10s of billions in subsidies that are invested in the new technology.
“According to the TPPF report — authored by energy experts Jason Isaac, Brent Bennett and Syd Lucas — the average model year 2021 EV would cost approximately $48,698 more to own over a 10-year period without the staggering $22 billion in taxpayer-funded handouts that the government provides to electric car manufacturers and owners. The analysis factors in federal fuel efficiency programs, electric grid strain, and direct state and federal subsidies.”
Unhappy customers?
John Klar, former GOP gubernatorial candidate and political writer, recently put out a commentary noting that in addition to high costs, the experiences of EV customers according to polls are not so great.
“A recent consumer survey revealed that 46% of US electric car owners wish to switch back to a gas-powered car. In an industry already facing hurdles with charging stations, cost, and public skepticism, consumer distaste over performance and a hefty price tag threatens to eviscerate future EV sales. Despite subsidies and claims of world-saving environmental necessity, consumers are balking in droves at lackluster EV performance in a declining economy.”
An industry-wide slowdown
In the overall economy, EV sales are down despite all the subsidies. Green Car Reports put out an article on Wednesday noting that sales are missing their targets for the nation’s largest automaker.
“General Motors CEO Mary Barra has walked back the automaker’s target of having production capacity for one million EVs in 2025, blaming slowing demand,” they reported.
It continues, “Barra told CNBC (via Bloomberg) at an event July 15 that GM wouldn’t have the planned production capacity in place by next year, adding that customer demand would determine how quickly GM would reach one million annual EV sales, and that it’s currently seeing a slowdown in EV deliveries.
The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle