By Michael Bielawski
The government mandates to push electric vehicles onto consumers are failing to translate into sales as EV inventory is piling up, and now 3,882 dealerships nationwide including nine from Vermont are calling out the situation to the President.
“Mr. President, it is time to tap the brakes on the unrealistic government electric vehicle mandate,” the letter states.
The essence of the letter is that the technologies, infrastructure, and consumer enthusiasm are all lacking where they need to be to fulfill these mandates.
It continues, “Allow time for the battery technology to advance. Allow time to make BEVs more affordable. Allow time to develop domestic sources for the minerals to make batteries. Allow time for the charging infrastructure to be built and prove reliable. And most of all, allow time for the American consumer to get comfortable with the technology and make the choice to buy an electric vehicle.”
The nine dealerships from Vermont that signed onto the letter include Haddad Subaru of St. Albans, Key Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac of South Burlington, Key Chevrolet of White River, Key Honda of Rutland, McGee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Barre, McGee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Brattleboro, McGee Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram FIAT of Springfield, McGee Ford of Montpelier, and McGee Hyundai of Barre.
The letter notes the aggressive nature of the current mandates.
“Your Administration has proposed regulations that would essentially mandate a dramatic shift to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), increasing year after year until 2032, when two out of every three vehicles sold in America would have to be battery electric,” it states.
It also touches on the lack of consumer demand.
“The reality, however, is that electric vehicle demand today is not keeping up with the large influx of BEVs arriving at our dealerships prompted by the current regulations. BEVs are stacking up on our lots,” the letter states.
Connecticut Democrat governor axes EV mandate
Another new development with EVs is at least one northeastern state has backed out of its state EV mandates, and the move was led by a Democrat governor.
“There are too many questions regarding the capacity of our electric grid, the cost and location of grid improvements, and the negative impact on urban, rural, and working poor families,” Connecticut Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly said in a statement to Fox News.
Kelly continued, “More than 90% of our pollution comes from outside the control of Connecticut. We need a national – and international – approach to improve our air quality. A state-by-state strategy will only prolong the attainment of cleaner air.”
The true cost of EVs is nearly $50,000
It turns public federal and state subsidies account for tens of thousands of dollars in subsidies per EV sold, according to a recent study.
“A sweeping first-of-its-kind analysis published by think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) concludes that electric vehicles (EV) would cost tens of thousands of dollars more if not for generous taxpayer-funded incentives,” Fox reported.
The report continued, “According to the TPPF report — authored by energy experts Jason Isaac and Brent Bennett — 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.”
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New consumer report indicates consumers don’t trust EVs
Also, Fox News reported on a new poll by Consumer Reports that indicates that consumers do not have a lot of faith in the reliability of EVs.
“The magazine’s annual auto reliability brand rankings released Wednesday found consumers reported 79% more problems with EVs than gas-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs from the 2000 to 2023 model years studied, and 146% more problems with plug-in hybrids.”
It continued, “But the report indicating EVs are less reliable could cause more consumers to hold off on making the switch from gas-powered vehicles amid an EV push from the Biden administration and manufacturers, adding to existing concerns including a lack of charging infrastructure for EVs and the higher cost of the vehicles.”
U.S. Congress may vote down EV mandates
According to another Fox report, lawmakers in Washington may have a vote this week to strike down all EV mandates.
“The House is expected to hold a floor vote this week on legislation that would strike down pending federal regulations targeting gas-powered vehicles and prohibit any future electric vehicle (EV) mandate,” the report states.
Reps. Tim Walberg, R-Mich. is one of the sponsors. He said to Fox News that the mandates are “a radical and unattainable federal EV mandate that will cripple our auto industry and forever make our supply chain reliant on China.”
The author is a reporter for the Vermont Daily Chronicle