Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has withdrawn his proposed electric vehicle (EV) mandate, which would have required that all new passenger vehicles sold in the state be electric by 2035. The mandate was met with bipartisan opposition from lawmakers, and Lamont ultimately decided to pull it just four months after unveiling it.
Lamont had characterized the proposal as “decisive action to meet our climate pollution reduction targets,” but some lawmakers argued that it was an overreach of government power and would be too expensive for consumers. The mandate was also opposed by some environmental groups, who argued that it would not be effective in reducing emissions.
The withdrawal of the EV mandate is a blow to environmentalists, who had hoped that Connecticut would be a leader in the transition to electric vehicles. However, it is also a victory for opponents of the mandate, who argued that it was an unnecessary and costly government intervention.
The article concludes by noting that the debate over electric vehicles is likely to continue, as states and the federal government consider different policies to promote the adoption of these vehicles.