Rio Grande Foundation News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Rio Grande Foundation announces the launch of “Keep Your Cars New Mexico” a campaign to defeat a draconian reduction on the purchase of gas-powered cars that is being proposed by Gov. Lujan-Grisham’s administration.
The plan is under consideration by the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB), which is scheduled to begin deliberations in mid-November.
Tuesday, Lujan-Grisham proclaimed a complete ban on gas-powered cars for the state government by 2035. Now, the EIB, whose members are appointed by the Governor, will consider even further-reaching limits on gas-powered cars that will require an absurd 82 percent of vehicles purchased by New Mexicans be electric beginning in 2032.
Keep Your Cars New Mexico reports that the gas-powered car ban severely punishes New Mexico’s low-income and middle-class families and creates numerous other unnecessary challenges:
- Electric vehicles (EVs) cost twice as much as a gas-powered car: $65,000 vs. $32,000 for a midsize car;
- A basic home station costs about $600;
- Public charging stations cost anywhere from $5,500 to $40,000 depending on charging speeds. Many will be built at taxpayer expense;
- Electric reliability is an issue. A 2019 study found that if EVs were to replace all gas powered vehicles, it would increase demand by 20-50 percent.
- EVs do more damage to roads than do internal combustion vehicles, creating additional costs and delays for taxpayers. A British study found EVs do 2.24 times more damage to roads than do IC cars.
“The Lujan-Grisham Administration’s ridiculous electric vehicle mandate would be a wreck for New Mexico’s lower-income and middle-class families, costing them thousands of dollars,” Rio Grande Foundation President Paul Gessing said. “New Mexicans must demand the Governor slam the brakes on this reckless proposal.”
Learn more about the Rio Grande Foundation here.
Visit KeepYourCarsNM.com to learn more about the campaign to preserve transportation choice for New Mexicans.