Maine's top environmental regulator recently rejected a proposed state electric vehicle (EV) mandate, deviating from climate concerns raised by environmental groups and Democrats. The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) voted against the Advanced Clean Cars program, which aimed to enforce regulations similar to California's standards, requiring that 51% of new car purchases in the state be electric by 2028 and 82% by 2032.
The decision came after the BEP received significant opposition from stakeholders and citizens, with nearly 84% of the 1,800 public comments received expressing disapproval of the EV mandate. Concerns were raised about Maine's rural nature, limited charging infrastructure, and the reliability of electric vehicles in extreme cold weather conditions.
Stakeholders opposing the mandate included the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Maine Automobile Dealers Association, and Democratic Maine Rep. Jared Golden, who emphasized the importance of affordable transportation in rural areas.
While the BEP initially planned to vote on the program in December, a severe windstorm led to power outages and the postponement of the decision. The agency later proposed a revised version of the mandate, delaying its implementation to 2028 and inviting further public input.
Critics of aggressive EV requirements in Maine highlighted concerns about the state's power grid capacity and the potential impact of power outages on an electrified transportation sector. Data from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation revealed that only 5.8% of car purchases in Maine last year were electric or plug-in hybrid, below the national average.
Despite Maine's rejection, over a dozen states have adopted California's EV mandate regulations, aiming for 100% electric car purchases by 2035. Governor Janet Mills, known for her climate initiatives, did not comment on the recent decision.
