Vermont falls short on EV Sales as dealers push back against climate rules

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) — Vermont’s consumers are not buying electric vehicles as fast as the state’s rules require, according to data collected by the Vermont Vehicle Distributors Association.

“We’re between a rock and a hard place, quite frankly,” says Vermont Vehicle and Automotive Distributors Association representative, Matt Cota

To meet goals in Vermont’s Global Warming Solutions Act, the Agency of Natural Resources set standards for the number of electric vehicles that should be on the road by 2035.

Matt Cota, with Vermont’s Vehicle and Automotive Distributors Association, says the demand for electric vehicles doesn’t match what’s required by regulation.

“We’re showing exponential growth, but we’re not showing the type of growth as required by law. The law requires 35%, we’re only at 12%” Cota adds.

It’s a similar situation for trucks. According to Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers, there’s even less demand from small businesses to switch to electric.

“Why make them buy something that they can’t afford that won’t do the job? They’ll put Vermont businesses out of business,” says Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers:

Some dealerships and distributors are asking the governor to repeal the rules, or for the legislature to pass laws to delay or get rid of them.

Environmentalists say the auto association and manufacturers are running this campaign to skirt their role in stopping climate change.

“All these misdirections by the automobile dealers association and the fossil fuel industry it’s just a smoke screen for them delaying responsibility,” says Robb Kidd of the Sierra Club

If the manufacturers and dealers don’t meet the quota, then they’ll be required to pay fees which are $20,000 per car.

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