New York Democrats joined the Republicans and forced Gov. Kathy Hochul to pump the brakes on their timeline and switch New Yorkers from gas-powered cars to an ejection-free electric vehicle.
Advanced Clean Car Rules require that 35% of 2026 model cars sold in the state be 100% by 2035, but Hochul's office says it has built-in flexibility to avoid penalties.
Message from a New York lawmaker: Slow down!
“We understand the goal of reducing emissions, but our current mission presents a number of challenges for New Yorkers, particularly dealers, employees and consumers: Kennedy, Buffalo.
The leak of letters from the House of Representatives comes a week after the Post reported complaints from a New York car dealership. He is an empty pie to meet the deadline for achieving the goals of weaning drivers from gas-powered cars to electric cars.
“While we share our goals to reduce emissions, these targets are misaligned with current consumer demand. Nationwide, electric vehicle sales accounted for just 8.1% of the market in 2024, up slightly from 7.8% in 2023, and in many parts of New York, EV sales remained below 2%.
“Despite investment in EV infrastructure and large government incentives, many consumers are not ready yet or are unable to switch to electric vehicles,” the lawmaker said.
A proactive timeline for moving from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles could damage the New York automotive market, Pols argued.
They also argued this year that auto dealers should sell one zero-emission vehicle for each two gas-powered or hybrid vehicles for sale.
“This artificial operation of supply and demand is expected to raise prices for all vehicles, making even hybrid and gas-powered vehicles more expensive for consumers,” the council crowd said.
“We recommend rethinking the timeline for powers of attorney for EV sales to allow for a more gradual transition, taking into account the realities of the market, consumer preparation and the economic well-being of New Yorkers.”
The lawmaker said a balanced and practical approach would give consumers time to build necessary infrastructure, such as charging stations, increase public confidence in EV technology, and provide consumers with more diverse vehicles to meet their needs.
However, Hochul's office on Monday insisted that there is no reason to delay the timeline as flexibility is built into the rules that allow more time for automakers to follow.
“The state has made it clear that manufacturers do not need to achieve 35% of car sales as EVs by next year. The requirements can be achieved with a variety of available flexibility,” said Paul Demichele, spokesman for Hochul.
“As a result, the effective requirements for EV sales are as low as 11% for the 2026 model,” he said.
State data shows that over 10% of all car sales in New York are EVs. An increase of 412% since 2021.
Hochul officials said the state Department of Environmental Protection would not implement sales rates for 35% of EV models in 2026 “early” until the end of 2030.
“The governor is not going to punish and punish the path to a better future. We can do this together,” Demichele said.
This is the latest nausea in New York's Green Energy and Climate Change Act.
The coalition of business and fossil fuel trade groups has just filed a federal lawsuit against the Hochul administration over a law that would force oil, natural gas and coal companies to pay a staggering $75 billion to spit carbon emissions.
Overall, the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires the state and its energy producers and consumers to separate from fossil fuels by reducing gas emissions by 40% by 2030 by 2030.
Hochul and the democrat-led Congress also ban gas stoves, furnaces and propane heating in new buildings. In December, Hochul extended the state's fracking ban by banning new technologies using carbon dioxide to extract natural gas.
The frustration comes amid rage that it jacks up Con Edison's electricity bills by 11.4% and sends gas prices up 13.3% to 3.6 million customers.
Hochul said the utility giant opposed the hike despite partially condemning the need for a high-cost need to build clean energy infrastructure to comply with the state's climate laws.
