Vermont Gov. Phil Scott this week postponed the state’s implementation of California’s strict electric vehicle requirements, citing concerns about the state’s limited number of charging stations and because EVs aren’t easily attainable for many residents.
Vermont was one of 10 states that adopted California’s regulations for both cars and trucks. Scott, a Republican, signed an executive order Tuesday delaying implementation of both rules until the end of 2026.
“I continue to believe we should be incentivizing Vermonters to transition to cleaner energy options like electric vehicles,” Scott said in a statement. “However, we have to be realistic about a pace that’s achievable. It’s clear we don’t have anywhere near enough charging infrastructure and insufficient technological advances in heavy-duty vehicles to meet current goals.”
The regulations require manufacturers to sell increasing numbers of emissions free cars and trucks, with a goal of eliminating the sale of most new internal-combustion vehicles by the mid-2030s.
