A group of 16 Republican governors bashed the Biden administration’s electric vehicle policy, arguing that it has had a devastating effect on consumers.
In a joint letter released Monday, a group of governors, including Govs. Doug Burgum (R-ND), Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR), Kim Reynolds (R-IA), Greg Abbott (R-TX), Chris Sununu (R-NH), and Glenn Youngkin (R-VA), called for Biden to change course on his EV policy.
“We are writing today on behalf of the American consumer to urge you to change course on your
current mandate that two out of every three vehicles be battery electrics by 2032,” the letter reads. “Instead of using government mandates to drive the vehicle market, allow American consumers to maintain choice in the types of vehicles they choose to drive.”
They went on to clarify that they aren’t opposed to a transition to EVs in and of itself but that the Biden administration’s policies were unrealistic and served to “penalize retailers and do not reflect the will of the consumer.”
The letter also casts concern on building up infrastructure for EVs given that 70% of global electric vehicle battery manufacturing capacity comes from China.
“Bolstering the domestic critical minerals industry is an essential step to realizing any long-term, responsible electric vehicle battery production,” the governors wrote. “Given China’s current action atop the global electric vehicle production, mandating electric vehicle use too quickly can also present a national security risk.”
They concluded by saying that although EVs are a “promising technology,” the United States should first build up proper infrastructure and bend to the will of the market.
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“Ultimately, we must continue to maintain consumer choice. Your mandates are unrealistic, costly,
and prescriptive solutions that harm American consumers,” the governors said. “Therefore, we request you remove your mandate that two out of every three vehicles be electric and instead provide a more realistic approach by allowing the free market to determine the direction and timing for the industry’s
growth rather than the federal government. Let American consumers decide for themselves.”
While President Joe Biden has touted himself as one of the most environmentally friendly presidents in history, Republicans have fiercely criticized his green policies as draconian and harmful to the economy.
