Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) said Wednesday that Virginia will halt its participation in the California electric vehicle mandate program at the end of the year, describing it as harmful to businesses in the state and allowing outside officials to dictate policy.
“The idea that the government should tell people what kind of car they can or can’t purchase is fundamentally wrong,” Youngkin said. “Virginians deserve the freedom to choose which vehicles best fit the needs of their families and businesses.”
Youngkin cited a decision from Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares that said the state is not required to comply with the rules beyond 2024, when the current iteration of the program expires and a new, stricter version comes into force.
“Once again, Virginia is declaring independence, this time from a misguided electric vehicle mandate imposed by unelected leaders nearly 3,000 miles from the commonwealth,” Youngkin said Wednesday.
