Letter to the editor: EVs won't be forced on drivers

Commentary

OPINION:

In “Don’t ’finish the job’: President Biden’s electric vehicle pipe dream” (web, May 16), Sen. Deb Fischer implies that the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed emissions rules for light-duty vehicles will mean the supply of electric vehicles outpaces demand, forcing EVs on unwilling consumers. This is not supported by the facts.

While Mrs. Fischer is correct that in 2022 EVs only accounted for 6% of new vehicle sales, that percentage is limited by supply, not demand. In fact, a 2022 survey from Consumer Reports shows that for every EV produced, there are 45 consumers who would “definitely buy” one today, leading to long waiting lists and dealer markups. Further, demand for EVs increased 350% between 2020 and 2022, much faster than growth in supply.

As Mrs. Fischer notes, the EPA estimates that if automakers comply with these technology-neutral rules with only EVs (instead of also selling hybrids and plug-in hybrids), EVs would make up 67% of new vehicles sold in 2032.

That may sound like a big number, but because the vehicle fleet turns over so slowly, it still isn’t enough to meet consumer demand. It will mean there are still only enough EVs for 25% of Americans, when our data shows that 36% of Americans are already “definitely” or “seriously” considering buying or leasing an electric vehicle. That number is expected to increase as technology improves, prices decline and more options hit the market.

Simply put: The proposed rules won’t force EVs on consumers who don’t want them. But it will encourage production of EVs so there are more for those who do.