Buffalo News Another Voice: Let’s pump the brakes on the state’s clean cars rule

April 8th, 2025

You can read the opinion piece by Justin Wilcox here.

As families across New York and the United States contend with high utility bills and inflated grocery prices, making life more affordable should be the top priority for lawmakers in Albany.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has put affordability at the forefront of her agenda. A key step will be for policymakers to reassess the timeline to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles in New York by 2035. The Advanced Clean Cars II rule is unfeasible due to current market dynamics and consumer preferences.

Electric vehicle sales are not meeting the state-set targets. Data shows EVs accounted for less than 4% of all vehicle sales in 2022. Even with optimistic growth rates, the leap to 35% by 2026, and eventually 100% by 2035, seems unrealistic.

Reasons for the sluggish adoption rate are high costs, limited range and insufficient charging infrastructure. The premium on EVs compared with their gasoline counterparts is substantial and not likely to decrease in the near future.

The issue of so-called range anxiety remains considerable. While most daily commutes are well within the range of most modern EVs, the occasional long-distance travel seems daunting when one considers the sparse and uneven distribution of charging stations. The current infrastructure is not yet equipped to handle high volumes of EVs, and retrofitting existing facilities is a massive, time-consuming and expensive undertaking.

The state’s plan disregards the significant upgrades required in our electrical grid to support the transition. Neighborhood transformers and wiring are not ready to handle the surge in demand that widespread EV adoption would bring. Upgrading these systems statewide will require substantial investment and time − resources already stretched thin.

It’s crucial to consider the broader implications of restricting the sale of new gas vehicles. Complying could force automakers to limit shipments of new vehicles to New York, reducing consumer choice and driving up prices. This would not only hurt consumers but also every business in the supply chain and the state’s economy.

A more gradual approach would be rational. Plug-in hybrids, which combine gas and electric power, could ease the transition without overwhelming consumers or infrastructure. This approach would align better with market realities and purchasing trends.

For these reasons, I urge Hochul and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton to pump the brakes on the Advanced Clean Cars II rule. By doing so, we’ll avoid the pitfalls of rushed policymaking. Let’s align our environmental aspirations with technological and economic realities − and ensure a smooth transition to a more sustainable future.

Justin Wilcox is executive director of Upstate United, a nonpartisan business and taxpayer advocacy coalition.