U.S. Representative Dan Meuser recently published an op-ed criticizing President Biden's mandate that at least 56% of passenger vehicles must be electric by 2032. Meuser argues that this mandate is economically infeasible and will have a heavy detrimental impact on American businesses and consumers. He points out that electric vehicles (EVs) currently only make up 6.9% of new vehicle market share and cost upwards of $40,000 to $50,000, which many hardworking families cannot afford. Meuser also criticizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) strictest-ever limits on heavy-duty trucks, stating that electrifying the truck industry could cost almost $1 trillion in upgrades to infrastructure, the electric grid, and vehicles nationwide. He argues that these rules will make cars and trucks more expensive and hinder the freight shipment and trucking industry, which is vital to Pennsylvania. Meuser highlights the lack of charging stations and infrastructure to support a market that is 56% electric vehicles and warns that the American electrical grid cannot withstand such a dramatic increase in usage. He also criticizes the EPA's rule requiring coal plants to cut or capture 90% of their carbon dioxide emissions by 2032, stating that it sets unrealistic standards and attempts to force coal plants to retire. Meuser argues that the subsidies and tax credits for electric vehicles put national security at risk by relying on foreign-made materials, particularly from China. He concludes by stating that the gas car ban is wrong for Pennsylvania and the U.S., and calls for these harmful rules and the assault on the gas-powered auto economy to be stopped.
Montana State Senator Barry Usher has also voiced concerns over President Biden's EV mandate. In an op-ed, Usher highlights that Montana is not an electric vehicle state, with only 0.18% of cars being electric as of 2021. He argues that the state would need significant investments in charging infrastructure to support an economically viable EV transition. Usher also raises concerns about the strain that EVs would put on Montana's electric grid, which is already reaching its limit. Montana relies heavily on coal-fired power plants for its energy supply, and the transition to EVs could inject risk into the state's power supply. Usher also points out safety concerns with EVs for long-distance driving and backcountry use. He concludes by calling for the implementation of the Biden Administration's EV mandate to be stopped in order to protect Montana's energy industry and economy.
Idaho Congressman Russ Fulcher will introduce legislation to end the Biden Mandate of having 34% of semi trucks be electric. The cost of electric trucks is typically two to three times more expensive than diesel trucks, and the trucking industry will have to invest $620 billion for charging infrastructure. 1.4 million chargers will have to be installed by 2032 to achieve the EPA's mandate. The move to electric trucks will have lasting impacts on the U.S. supply chain and increase the cost of goods transported by truck. Rural communities in Idaho cannot implement the massive grid expansion needed to support the electrification of heavy-duty trucks. The president's environmental push would cover a hundred types of vehicles, including tractor-trailers, ambulances, R.V.s, garbage trucks, and moving vans. The technology to power massive trucks with electricity is not readily available. Idahoans love their gas-powered muscle cars, monster trucks, and semi-trucks.
These criticisms from U.S. Representative Dan Meuser, Montana State Senator Barry Usher, and Idaho Congressman Russ Fulcher highlight concerns over the economic feasibility of President Biden's EV mandate and the impact it could have on businesses, consumers, and state energy industries. They argue that the current market share of electric vehicles is low and the cost of EVs is still prohibitive for many families. They also raise concerns about the lack of charging infrastructure, strain on the electrical grid, and the reliance on foreign materials for EV production. Additionally, Usher highlights the specific challenges that Montana faces in transitioning to electric vehicles, including the need for significant investments in charging infrastructure and the risks to the state's power supply. Fulcher emphasizes the high cost of electric trucks and the challenges faced by rural communities in implementing the necessary grid expansion. All three lawmakers call for the implementation of the EV mandate to be stopped in order to protect the economy and energy industries of their respective states.