Biden Administration’s CMV EV Mandate Sees More Opposition

Mississippi Joins Opposition Against CMV EV Mandate

Mississippi Lawmakers Oppose Biden’s CMV EV Mandate

Mississippi’s Republican U.S. senators and representatives have signed a letter against the Biden administration’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate for heavy trucks. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, along with Representatives Trent Kelly, Michael Guest, and Mike Ezell, want the new rules reversed. The state’s only Democrat in Congress, Rep. Bennie Thompson, did not sign the letter.

Economic Concerns

The letter says the CMV EV mandate will hurt the shipping and farming industries. The mandate, part of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-Phase 3, requires all trucks, tractors, buses, and semi-trucks to have zero emissions by 2027.

Mississippi’s lawmakers argue that the timeline for adopting zero-emission vehicles is too fast. “This rule would disrupt the heavy-duty truck industry by forcing the adoption of zero-emission vehicles too quickly,” they said.

High Costs of Electric Vehicles

The letter mentions a study that says it would cost $1 trillion to build the infrastructure needed for an all-electric commercial fleet. This does not include the cost of buying the electric vehicles. An electric semi-truck costs over $400,000, while a diesel truck costs around $180,000. This makes electric trucks more than twice as expensive.

Farmers would also face high costs. There are more than 3.1 million trucks, including pickups, on over 1.4 million farms in the U.S. Farmers would struggle with tighter budgets due to the extra expenses.

Impact on Small Trucking Companies

The lawmakers believe that the high costs of switching to electric vehicles will force many small trucking companies out of business. This could lead to higher prices for groceries and utilities. Utility prices would rise due to the $370 billion needed to upgrade power grids for EV demand. This figure does not include passenger vehicle needs.

“This regulation is too costly and will leave rural communities with power grid challenges and limited range compared to diesel vehicles. Rushed regulations can cause business closures and job losses,” the lawmakers warned.

Broad Opposition and Legislative Efforts

The letter was signed by 29 U.S. senators and 128 members of Congress. Senators Wicker and Hyde-Smith also support SB 3094, a bill to stop the EPA from enacting the EV mandate for trucks and passenger cars. The bill also aims to block future rules that limit new vehicles based on engine type.

Looking Ahead

Mississippi’s opposition to the EV mandate highlights concerns about the economic impact of rapid regulatory changes. The letter from Mississippi’s congressional delegation shows the challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles, especially for small businesses and rural areas. The debate continues as lawmakers seek a balance between environmental goals and economic stability.