NE Vermont News

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation has expressed concerns over Vermont's Advanced Clean Cars II (AC II) rule, stating that the sales mandates imposed will be challenging for automakers to meet under current market conditions. This announcement was made in a formal letter dated December 11, 2024.

In December 2022, Vermont adopted the AC II rule, aligning with California's mandate that requires 100% of new passenger vehicles sold to be zero-emission by 2035. According to WCAX, this regulation sets annual targets for increasing zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, beginning with 35% in 2026 and escalating to full compliance by 2035. Automakers have raised concerns about these ambitious targets due to challenges such as supply chain constraints, limited consumer demand, and insufficient charging infrastructure.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 8.9% of the U.S. light-duty vehicle market in the third quarter of 2024, an increase from 7.4% in the previous quarter. Despite this growth, internal combustion engine vehicles still dominate the market. Barriers such as higher upfront costs, range anxiety, and limited charging infrastructure continue to impede widespread adoption of electric vehicles among consumers.

The expansion of EV charging infrastructure in the United States has not kept pace with the growing number of electric vehicles on the road. As reported by Autos Innovate, there were approximately 185,124 publicly available charging outlets nationwide as of the third quarter of 2024, serving over 5.4 million EVs—a ratio of 29 EVs per public charging port. This shortfall presents a significant challenge for consumers considering a switch to electric vehicles due to ongoing concerns about charging availability and convenience.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation represents leading automakers, suppliers, and technology companies within the automotive industry. The organization is focused on creating a safe, clean, and sustainable future by advocating for balanced policies that support innovation and consumer choice while playing a crucial role in shaping industry responses to evolving environmental regulations and technological shifts.