Delaware GOP electric car forum examines impacts of governor’s mandate

More than 350 people gathered March 21 at the Indian River Senior Center in Millsboro to hear about Delaware Gov. John Carney’s proposed electric vehicle mandate that would make it increasingly difficult to purchase traditional gas-powered cars and trucks starting in 2025.   

The event was moderated by Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro. Speakers included David LeGates, a former Delaware state climatologist, and energy analyst David Stevenson of the Caesar Rodney Institute. The event was organized by the House and Senate Republican Caucuses to share the details of Delaware’s Electric Vehicle Mandate and address questions from the community about the impact of proposed regulations. The mandate was issued by Carney, directing the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to promulgate regulations on electric vehicles.

“The transition to electric vehicles in Delaware will have little to no measurable impact on climate change in our state,” said Legates, a former University of Delaware geography professor.

Stevenson, director of the Center for Energy & Environmental Policy at the Caesar Rodney Institute, said Delaware is already fully compliant with Environmental Protection Agency standards.

Robert Ricker of Millsboro, a veteran firefighter speaking as a private citizen, said, “My experience is that electric vehicles are still a developing technology, and their design increases the risk of fire and injury to first responders, due to the size of the battery and the construction of the vehicle.”

“The governor and [DNREC] Secretary [Shawn] Garvin are bypassing the General Assembly to issue a mandate that will impact people’s lives across Sussex County and all of Delaware,” said Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View. “Families and small businesses should be free to decide when it is right to purchase electric cars.”

Collins fielded questions from the audience and challenged the fact sheet provided by DNREC. “We need to follow the science, folks. We need to work with the correct information to make such an important decision,” he said. 

As they left the town hall event, more than 200 people signed a petition asking the governor to stop the electric car mandate.

More sessions are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday, March 28 and 30, in New Castle County, and Wednesday, March 29, in Dover. All begin at 6:30 p.m.  Citizens can register at noevmandate.com.

For more information, go to delawaregop.com.