Posted on 11/18/2023 9:08:52 PM PST by nickcarraway
More electric vehicles are heading to car dealerships across New Mexico.
The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board approved a new set of regulations – commonly known as the ‘Clean Car Standards’ – in a 3-2 vote. The regulations were first developed in California and have been adopted by 19 other states including New Mexico.
The new rules require car manufacturers to deliver more zero-emission vehicles to car dealerships. Starting in 2026, 43% of all new vehicle deliveries must be electric or hybrid vehicles. Only 15% of new commercial trucks must be electric. The requirements are scheduled to quickly increase each year before landing at 82% of new vehicles in 2031.
“This is an important step forward for our climate and air quality goals, especially in environmental justice and frontline communities,” said Environment Department Cabinet Secretary James Kenney.
Officials with the state’s Environment Department previously revealed electric and hybrid vehicle sales have increased to 5% in New Mexico. They believe the increased supply will push more New Mexicans to make the switch.
“The adoption of these rules is a victory for customer choice, our ambitious climate goals, and cleaner air for every New Mexican,” said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
State environment leaders predict the new regulations will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 62%, nitrogen oxides by 43%, and particulate matter by 24% from the transportation sector. They say the improved air quality will also reduce certain pollution-related illnesses saving New Mexicans up to $62 million in health care costs – largely in Bernalillo County.
Many supporters championed the potential positive effects on the climate during public hearings earlier this week and encouraged regulators to approve the new rules.
“This is literally our Kodak moment,” said Camilla Feibelman, director of the Sierra Club’s Rio Grande chapter. “Kodak knew that digital photography was coming and they didn’t do anything about it and hold only themselves to blame for not transitioning at this key moment. This is our early adoption moment. This is us becoming a national leader instead of a national loser. “
Not everyone supports the new regulations.
“You can mandate that manufacturers have to build EVs, but you can’t mandate that New Mexicans have to buy them,” said Carlos Garcia, executive manager of the Garcia Auto Group.
Garcia says electric vehicles only make up roughly 2% of sales across the nearly dozen dealerships he manages. He says car manufacturers and dealers are pretty good at forecasting what models consumers will want. He says it’s clear most New Mexicans aren’t ready to make the switch to electric vehicles.
“New Mexico is one of the largest truck markets in the United States,” he said. “There is not an EV truck that can do what a regular truck does, same thing for SUVs so it’s really going to be hard for us to have a stock of vehicles that people want.”
He says many customers are hesitant to purchase electric or hybrid vehicles considering New Mexico’s vast, rural landscape. He suspects many New Mexicans will travel to other states to purchase gas-powered vehicles that will likely be in short supply across New Mexico.
“We are 100% in support of the future and the migration to EVs, it’s just that this is too much too fast for New Mexico,” he said. “The market is going to dictate organically what people want to buy and what manufacturers can build, and so I do think that we’re going to achieve those numbers at some point, but the numbers at the beginning are just too high.”
Some state lawmakers also criticized the new rules, with several republican lawmakers speaking out during public hearings. Many said the new rules don’t benefit rural New Mexicans and noted a lack of electric vehicle chargers across the state.
Republican state senator Gregg Schmedes (R-Tijeras) also criticized the approval process.
“The unelected EIB has stripped the right of New Mexicans to make the best decision for their families’ transportation needs,” he said. “This was further proof that this administration has no interest in acting in the best interest of the people of our state. Instead, they only serve to further the political aspirations of this lame-duck governor.”
The Environmental Improvement Board is made up of governor-appointed members. Some opponents criticized letting an unelected board implement statewide regulations.
The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Control Board – also made up of appointed members – unanimously approved the new regulations. That group also faced criticism for its membership during a recent Albuquerque City Council meeting.
Environment department officials say the state has already invested nearly $50 million in state and federal funding to implement new electric vehicle charges. NMDOT officials confirmed earlier this year there are plans to build at least 100 already in the works. The governor says she is planning to ask state lawmakers for another $55 million during the upcoming legislative session to build a statewide network of electric vehicle chargers.
The market demands it! Oh, wait.
SUCKERS! LOL!
Disaster
I don't seem to recall the GD government MANDATING that we throw away our film cameras and MANDATING that we buy digital cameras. Did I miss that mandate?
Ping to # 6.
I understand General Motors is suspending electric vehicle production as there are 90,000 of their EV’s sitting unsold on dealer lots.
New Mexico can bring in all the electric vehicles they passionately desire but can’t FORCE people to buy them.
How can a society this stupid survive?
What will happen to all these electricity sucking, oversized golf carts?
More cars to the dealerships, where they will remain unpurchased.
Notice how they titled this article? The government is going to force something on you and that is good. See my tagline.
Will New Mexico pay for these EVs when they don’t sell?
More here:
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4197607/posts
Fidiots! Guess car sales are gonna plummet in NM.
🙏🇺🇸🇮🇱👍
I used to drive from LA to Indianapolis & back every Labor Day week.
The ONLY “POLLUTION” I ever saw in New Mexico was TARANTULAS swarming all over the road in the middle of the night.
So numerous, the car was sometimes sliding. They were plate sized.. DID NOT STOP TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER
I would like to point out that most if not all of the politicians making these rules now WILL NOT BE IN OFFICE when the SHTF.
Seems to me people will special order the cars they want or buy online and have the car delivered to their door step...
My friendly car salesman told me that somebody just turned in week old electric Jeep. Reason - no power!
Apparently the electric trucks are lacking any power for off road use.
WILL NOT BE IN OFFICE when the SHTF
________
Well, this is only two years from now.
Going from 2% to 50% in two years?!
What will end up happening is there will be a waiting list for gas-powered car.
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