‘Mr. President, it is time to tap the brakes on the unrealistic government electric vehicle mandate,’ stated 3,882 car dealers.
Increasingly, Americans are rejecting the Biden administration’s net-zero central planning initiatives that aim to electrify transportation and home heating, while transforming our electric grid to wind and solar power.
Recently, this rejection has come in the form of a reluctance to buy electric vehicles (EVs) despite numerous government subsidies and mandates, and in the form of towns and counties prohibiting wind and solar projects in their communities.
Automotive dealers, staring at swelling inventories of unsold EVs on their lots, joined together to petition President Joe Biden to drop the mandates that are part of his plan to force America’s cars and trucks onto the electric grid.
“Last year, there was a lot of hope and hype about EVs [and] early adopters formed an initial line and were ready to buy these vehicles as soon as we had them to sell,” they wrote in their letter, which was signed by 3,882 dealerships. “But that enthusiasm has stalled. Today, the supply of unsold BEVs [battery electric vehicles] is surging, as they are not selling nearly as fast as they are arriving at our dealerships—even with deep price cuts, manufacturer incentives, and generous government incentives.”
“Mr. President, it is time to tap the brakes on the unrealistic government electric vehicle mandate,” the letter stated.
The average sticker price of EVs has come down more than $10,000 this year, according to a report by Cox Automotive, due to seller discounts and a reduction in the cost of material inputs. Many EV owners have been highly satisfied with the convenience and performance of their cars, particularly people who have short commutes, can charge EVs in their garages overnight or at work, and have a second car for longer trips.
According to a report by Cox Automotive, electric vehicle sales are increasing and will likely reach 1 million vehicles sold in 2023. EVs accounted for 7.9 percent of cars sold in Q3, up from 6.1 percent the prior year.
By Kevin Stocklin
