Mandate Forcing Electric Vehicles on Mainers
The DEP is currently considering a "minor policy change" that would force new car dealers in Maine to only buy electric vehicles (EV's) from the manufacturers. This is my view on this requirement, and I would to have you reach out to me to share your view too!
First of all, I am NOT against EV's. I have several friends with Tesla's and several others with other EV's. I would consider getting a Tesla if I had the money (they're expensive!). I have heard from many people that have a lot of great reasons to be against this mandate, but my opinion is that the single biggest reason is because of the massive governmental overreach that is at play here. Our government is deciding that the environmental issues that gas-powered cars cause is far more important than your freedom and ability to choose what type of car you drive. The reality is that they are not forcing you to buy an EV, they are forcing you to NOT do business in Maine, you must go outside your home state if you want to buy a non-EV car of your choice. So Maine people, and Maine car dealerships stand to be hurt the most by this short-sighted policy change.
Other great reasons to hate this policy change is that the technology for EV's doesn't make them great for long-distance road trips, the batteries they require are terrible for the environment when (not IF) they need to be replaced, the batteries they require are inhumanely made. The electricity they require is not clean, and Maine's electricity costs are already 46% higher than the national average...before the State dramatically increases demand for it with this terrible decision.
At the foundation of it...this is a GOVERNMENT OVERREACH problem. There is nothing more to it than your government wants you to drive a car that they think is more environmentally friendly and only 5% of us are doing it, so they want to force us to do so. This is NOT the role of our government.
UPDATE: Whether it was the great outreach from so many people, or other reasons, the Maine bureaucrats facing this decision, made the right choice...a HUGE thank you to them. AND, I assure you, this isn't the last we hear about this issue. I would not be surprised if it comes in front of the legislature this year or next.