My take: Scrapping the electric vehicle mandate

 I heard from those favoring the mandate and others, including auto dealers, who liked and even drove EVs but faced problems ranging from repair challenges to unpopular models with limited battery range taking up space on lots.

Backers of the mandate said a shortage of EVs and hybrids at that time sent buyers to states with bigger inventories. That has changed.

The state mandates were tweaked  after public hearings, but the 2027 requirements appear to be a stretch due to supply chain, inflation,  technology, and other issues.

It did not help that the federal government was deeply involved with trade barriers for imported EVs and a $7,500 rebate that only applied to some EVs. A loophole allowed the federal money money to be used for leases.

Fast forward to this year, with new Governor Matt Meyer telling WHYY he plans to scrap the mandate. Meyer said customers should have a choice when buying or leasing a vehicle, something many of us will agree with.

The decision allowed Republican legislators to take a victory lap after holding  "town halls" that, according to critics, turned into anti-EV rallies. DNREC's own public hearings saw opponents outnumber  backers.

Meyer had other reasons to scrap the mandate.

 The average vehicle on US roads is a dozen years old, and mandates would lead some motorists to patch up vehicles with higher pollution levels, a la Cuba.

 The auto business is in a tough spot in 2025, with President Trump's ever-changing tariff moves creating uncertainties, since  Mexico and Canada assemble vehicles and make parts.

Trump's opposition to EVs has softened, thanks to his relationship with Tesla's Elon Musk and the Tesla’s CEO’s Dodg often unpopular  government efficiency work.

Tesla and VW, which produce EVs in Tennessee, Texas, and California, are said to have a tariff edge,  thanks to more US assembly sites and parts. Still, even Musk admits there will be pressure on costs and pricing.

Meanwhile, the market share for EVs has grown to about 12% in Delaware, with average prices approaching those of new vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.

The biggest worry is the increased risk of a tariff-driven recession. So far, we are seeing mixed data. 

In the long term, we'll see more EVs on the roads, with companies failing (Fisker is a textbook example) and others pushing through.

We'll continue to see advancements in battery prices,  charging, and driving range fronts, along with the likelihood of stiff competition from overseas, even if trade barriers remain in place.

Meanwhile, trade  limits will sharply limit our ability to export EVs and will  allow China and others to build market share..  - Doug Rainey, chief content officer.