Delaware’s Governor Matt Meyer plans to eliminate the state’s electric vehicle mandate, which was implemented by former Governor John Carney in November 2023. The mandate required 43% of new cars sold in Delaware to be electric or plug-in hybrid by 2027, increasing to 82% by 2032.
Meyer, who took office three months ago, expressed his opposition to government mandates on consumers during an interview with WHYY News. “I’m not a strong believer in government mandates on consumers,” Meyer said. “The mechanism we take has yet to be determined, but I’m assuring Delawareans that the electric vehicle mandate will not go into effect.”
The decision comes as electric vehicle sales continue to grow in Delaware. State environmental protection officials reported that electric vehicles made up 12% of new registrations in 2024, up from 2% in 2020. The state also offers rebates of up to $2,500 for electric vehicle buyers, in addition to the federal rebate of up to $7,500.
Environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club, have expressed disappointment with Meyer’s plan. Dustyn Thompson, head of Delaware’s Sierra Club chapter, predicted that reversing the mandate would reduce zero-emission vehicle sales and harm air quality. “It’s going to make a weaker Delaware with worse air quality and it’s going to do Trump’s job for him,” Thompson said.
In contrast, car dealerships have welcomed the decision. Charlie Burton, president of the I.G. Burton chain of dealerships, said he’s “tickled to death” with the governor’s plan. “I like the [electric] car. I’m not against the car. What I don’t want… is to be told what stocking levels I have to do and what I have to sell and what they have to buy,” Burton explained.
Meyer’s plan to scrap the mandate follows a failed legislative effort by Republican state Rep. Lyndon Yearick to eliminate it. Yearick’s bill was blocked by Democrats in the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee.
The process to terminate the mandate is expected to involve public hearings and comments, similar to the process used to implement it. Environmental groups plan to advocate against the reversal.
