Vermont Governor Phil Scott paused the state’s electric vehicle sales requirements for passenger cars and medium and heavy-duty trucks on Tuesday, amid broader concerns in regards to the feasibility of zero-emission vehicle rules pioneered by California.
Vermont is one among 11 states including Latest York, Maryland and Massachusetts which have adopted California’s zero-emission vehicle rules, which seek to finish the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035. California’s rules require 35% of light-duty vehicles within the 2026 model 12 months to be zero-emission models.
Scott, a Republican, cited warnings from automakers that they may limit supply of gas-powered vehicles to dealers within the state due to EV rules.
“It’s clear we don’t have anywhere near enough charging infrastructure and insufficient technological advances in heavy-duty vehicles to satisfy current goals,” said Scott.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore last month delayed enforcement of the foundations until the 2028 model 12 months, citing concerns about tariffs and charging infrastructure funding.
The House of Representatives voted in May to bar each California’s landmark 2035 EV plan and its plans to require a rising variety of zero-emissions heavy-duty trucks, moving to repeal the legal approval for the foundations granted by the Environmental Protection Agency under former President Joe Biden.
It was not clear when the Senate may take up the measures and California contends Congress cannot reverse Biden’s decision under fast-track rules.
Major automakers have said the foundations, which require no less than 80% EVs by 2035 and not more than 20% plug-in hybrids, are unfeasible and lobbied against them. California says they’re essential to chop pollution and contends the vote is illegitimate.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai and other major automakers had warned automotive corporations might be forced to substantially reduce the variety of overall vehicles on the market to inflate their proportion of EV sales.
California says EVs must hit 68% of recent vehicle sales by 2030 under the foundations.
