George Allen, former governor of Virginia and U.S. Senator, highlights the challenges and impracticality of electric vehicle (EV) mandates imposed by state and federal governments. In a recent keynote address, Allen emphasized how states with heavy regulations, like California’s EV mandate, are losing economic competitiveness and population, while states with pro-business policies like Texas and Florida are thriving. He criticized the EV mandate, which requires 35% of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2026, as an overreach that ignores consumer demand, raises costs, and fails to consider the lack of charging infrastructure. Allen praised Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin for withdrawing the state from California’s EV rules, arguing that individuals should have the freedom to choose what vehicles they want without government interference.
Allen also pointed out that the Biden-Harris administration’s EPA tailpipe emissions rules push a similar agenda, aiming to phase out gas-powered vehicles despite setbacks like low demand and high costs. He argues that these mandates undermine economic opportunity and personal freedom, especially in states tied to California’s policies. Allen calls for a return to free-market principles where innovation and consumer choice drive the transition to cleaner energy, rather than government dictates that stifle creativity and burden taxpayers.
