VT Governor orders pause to electric vehicle sales requirements
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermont's all-electric future will have to wait a little longer.
Governor Phil Scott on Tuesday issued Executive Order 04-25, putting requirements for manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission vehicles on hold for now.
Read the full text of the executive order hereDownload
Scott said, 'I continue to believe we should be incentivizing Vermonters to transition to cleaner energy options like electric vehicles. 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.
'We have much more work to do, in order to make it more convenient, faster, and more affordable to buy, maintain and charge EVs. When we do, it's more likely everyday Vermonters will make the switch.'
The governor's order cites the uncertainty caused by tariffs and the shifting of burdens from auto manufacturers to local car dealers. It pauses sales requirements until the end of 2026.
Jack Vada of the Vermont Vehicle and Automotive Distributors Association praised the order for providing 'much-needed flexibility'. He echoed Scott's commitment to a practical approach for reducing emissions.
Why the price of electric vehicles will go up in Vermont in 2025
In 2022, Vermont signed on to the Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks rules, joining states such as New York, California, and Massachusetts, and putting the state on track to sell 100 percent electric vehicles by 2035. Currently, electric vehicles are estimated to make up about 8 percent of vehicle sales nationwide.
Last year, the Biden administration awarded $4.9 million to the state to improve its EV charging network, but those funds were put in jeopardy in February when the Trump administration directed states to stop spending money on EV infrastructure. Vermont is one of 17 states to join a lawsuit against the administration, challenging its authority to halt the funding.
According to the governor's press secretary, Amanda Wheeler, 'Governor Scott remains committed to addressing climate change,' though, 'when it comes to transitioning to a low-carbon future, mandates are not going to be the total answer.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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