The majority of Virginia voters say they want state lawmakers to repeal an electric vehicle mandate that would ban the sales of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, according to a new poll.
The survey, conducted by the nonpartisan Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy and commissioned by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers lobbying group, showed that 57% of respondents want the Virginia General Assembly to repeal the law, while 30% were opposed and 13% unsure.
Virginia is among the roughly dozen states following California’s move to outlaw new gas-powered cars starting in 2035 by requiring automakers to have zero-emission fleets to combat climate change.
The mandates, which are designed to force automakers and consumers to go electric, begin to take effect in 2025.
Virginia state lawmakers will convene a 60-day session starting Wednesday, during which debate is again expected over measures to repeal the EV mandate after failing to pass such legislation last year.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is a Republican, but Democrats narrowly control both the House and Senate, limiting prospects for a repeal to be passed.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers said the poll’s results show consumers prefer individual choice, and that state lawmakers should take note.
“Consumers and Virginia families — not government — should be the ones deciding what vehicles best meet their needs and budgets,” said AFPM President and CEO Chet Thompson. “We hope the General Assembly listens to the people of Virginia and repeals the 2021 law in the coming weeks.”
Voters were roughly split over whether they were aware (52%) or unaware (48%) of the forthcoming regulation. Of those polled who were Democrats, 45% said the provision should be repealed.
The survey was conducted Dec. 15-19 among 625 registered Virginia voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
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