EV Incentivization Policies: Necessity for Enabling the Electric Vehicle Revival

Wyoming recently announced a resolution to ban the sale of new electric vehicles by 2035. This move has been met with criticism from many, as it is seen as a way for big oil companies to pay off elected representatives and keep EV's out of certain states. The resolution would also make it difficult for EV owners to legally register their cars in their home state, as they could be considered a form of tax evasion due to not paying fuel taxes.

Ohio and West Virginia have followed Wyoming’s lead and proposed a joint resolution to replace diesel locomotives with coal-powered steam locomotives because of the large coal deposits on their respective territories. While this does not directly affect EV owners, it shows how easy it is for special interest groups to use their political leverage to push through legislation that benefits them.

Tesla being an American-based company is beneficial in this situation, as if they were based in China, politicians could easily talk up the dangers of non-domestic EVs and block them from entry. It is worth noting that Wyoming’s resolution did not pass and was just a statement encouraging people not to buy or sell electric vehicles.

If manufacturers (and ultimately buyers) had to pay a fee to account for handling pollutants emitted by their vehicles, market forces would quickly move in favor of electric vehicles. Unfortunately, special interest groups are able to use their political influence to prevent this from happening. In order for EVs to become more mainstream, governments need to create policies that incentivize buying them rather than disincentivize it.The resolution proposed by Wyoming is a step in the wrong direction, as it would make it harder for EV owners to register their cars and could lead to higher taxes on electric vehicles. It also sends a message that big oil companies are more important than clean energy sources.

In order for EVs to become mainstream, governments need to create policies that incentivize buying them rather than disincentivize it. This can be done through tax credits or subsidies, which will help reduce the cost of purchasing an EV and encourage people who may not have considered one before. Additionally, governments should invest in infrastructure such as charging stations so that people feel comfortable owning an electric vehicle without worrying about running out of power while driving long distances.

It’s clear from this situation that special interest groups still have too much influence over government policy when it comes to green initiatives like electric vehicles. If we want our planet (and future generations) to benefit from cleaner forms of transportation then we must ensure these interests do not continue blocking progress with legislation like Wyoming’s resolution did here.