TRENTON, NJ – Just as the chips are falling around New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s offshore wind energy farms, they are starting to fall around the proposed 2035 gasoline-powered car ban.
Phil Murphy’s ally, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, has withdrawn a contentious proposal to mandate future electric vehicle (EV) purchases. The decision comes after the plan, introduced four months ago, faced bipartisan opposition from key legislators.
Lamont introduced the proposal in July, aiming to align Connecticut’s emissions standards with California’s. California’s most stringent regulation in the U.S. requires all new passenger vehicles sold to be electric by 2035. Lamont described his plan as crucial to achieving climate pollution reduction targets.
However, the proposal sparked concerns among lawmakers, including Connecticut Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly. Kelly applauded the withdrawal, calling it a “reasoned approach” in light of issues raised by various community sectors. He pointed out challenges such as the state’s electric grid capacity, the expense and logistics of grid improvements, and potential adverse effects on urban, rural, and lower-income families.
Kelly emphasized the need for a broader, more inclusive strategy to address air quality issues. He argued that over 90% of pollution in Connecticut originates outside state control, necessitating a national and international approach rather than isolated state efforts.
In New Jersey, Phil Murphy has little to no Republican opposition, as the Democrats hold the governor’s office and both legislative branches. Republicans in New Jersey are powerless to stop Murphy’s green energy agenda, even as the industries powering them are starting to crack.
Last week, Ford scaled back its EV plans, announcing lower-than-anticipated demand for electric vehicles.
Governor Murphy has not waivered in his commitment to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, a highly unpopular move among New Jersey residents.
Not many states are following California’s lead. Only eight remain in the pact to ban cars, including Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.