New York Governor Kathy Hochul must reconsider the state’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate, which is based on California’s Advanced Clean Car II rule. The regulation requires 35% of cars sold in 2026 to be emissions-free, increasing to 100% by 2035. However, current EV sales are far behind these targets, making up only 10% of statewide car sales and less than 2% in some areas.
Unrealistic Targets and Economic Consequences
The discrepancy between the mandate and actual sales figures poses significant challenges for automakers. Failure to meet these targets could result in substantial fines, which manufacturers might pass on to consumers or avoid by limiting the sale of non-EVs. This has prompted the Greater Automobile Dealers Association of New York to urge for a more realistic approach, with Chairman Jack Weidinger stating that “the deadlines don’t match the reality.”
Eight New York House members, comprising four Republicans and four Democrats, wrote to Hochul in February, warning of “substantial economic repercussions” due to the potential increase in vehicle prices. In response, Hochul has promised $30 million in subsidies to encourage EV purchases. However, her administration’s interpretation that the mandate can be met with as low as 11% of new sales being electric contradicts the stated targets, potentially inviting legal challenges from environmental groups.
Infrastructure and Consumer Preferences
New York’s charging infrastructure is currently inadequate, with insufficient stations and long wait times, particularly outside urban areas. This infrastructure challenge is compounded by consumer concerns about EVs’ limited range and performance in cold weather. Hochul’s recent announcement of $60 million for additional charging stations may help, but it also strains the state’s already overburdened grid.
Other states that adopted similar EV mandates are beginning to reassess their positions. In April, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order postponing penalties for non-compliance, recognizing the impracticality of the current standards. Virginia has gone further by removing its EV mandate entirely.
A Call to Action
Governor Hochul must acknowledge the impracticality of New York’s EV mandate and take corrective action. The current targets are a “pipe dream” that could harm the state’s economy and consumers. It’s time for Hochul to ditch the mandate and focus on more feasible and consumer-friendly approaches to environmental policy.
