by Scott McClallen
Twenty-five Michigan lawmakers oppose President Joe Biden administration’s electric vehicle mandate through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA rules for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles phased in from 2027 through 2032 will require about 67% of new car sales to be electric by 2032.
Republican lawmakers said the mandate will destroy auto jobs in Michigan responsible for 19% of U.S. automotive production. Producing EVs requires 30% less human labor.
“The imposition of electric vehicle mandates raises significant concerns about consumer choice, economic impacts, and technological feasibility, the lawmakers wrote. “While the goal of making automobiles safer and more environmentally friendly is certainly laudable, it should be done in a balanced, market-driven approach that prioritizes the varying needs and preferences of motorists.”
The letter citing reporting from The Center Square about states opposing EV mandates says the auto industry supports about 1.1 million Michigan jobs or 20% of the state’s workforce.
The Biden administration targeted that 50% of all new vehicle sales will be electric by 2030. The International Energy Agency estimated that 14% of all new cars sold in 2022 were electric, up from around 9% in 2021 and less than 5% in 2020.
Kelley Blue Book says the 2023 total vehicle market share was 7.6%.
“These targets are almost certainly unachievable but will nevertheless likely prove to be extremely costly for motorists in Michigan and around the country,” the letter says.
Republican Floor Leader Bryan Posthumus, of Rockford, Rep. Ann Bollin, R- Brighton Township, and Rep. Curt Vanderwall, R-Ludington, signed the letter.
In Michigan’s quest to have 2 million electric vehicles by 2030, it is short 1.9 million. Adding more than 28,000 per month for the next 67 months will achieve the goal.
“We are deeply concerned about the impact this rule could have not only on workers in Michigan who have decades of experience building automobiles powered by liquid fuels, but also those who are employed by many of original equipment manufacturers (OEM) who supply parts for those same vehicles,” the letter says. Of the top 100 automotive suppliers in North America, 96 have a presence and 60 are headquartered here in Michigan.”
The letter follows a poll finding that half of likely voters say the Biden administration should reduce its targets for EV sales. Moreover, about two-thirds of likely voters say EV demand isn’t meeting the government’s push.
“Therefore, we strongly urge President Biden and [Office of Management and Budget] to halt and reject implementation of the EPA’s proposed tailpipe rule,” the letter says.
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Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi. In 2021, he published a book on technology and privacy. He co-hosts the weekly Michigan in Focus podcast.
