Gov. Youngkin says Virginia will exit California electric vehicle mandate
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced the end of the California electric vehicle mandate in Virginia.
According to a press release by the office of the governor, the end of the mandate will be effective at the end of 2024 when California’s current regulations expire.
An opinion from Attorney General Jason Miyares says that Virginia is not required to comply with new mandates adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
“The idea that government should tell people what kind of car they can or can’t purchase is fundamentally wrong. Virginians deserve the freedom to choose which vehicles best fit the needs of their families and businesses, ” Youngkin said.
According to the office of the governor, Under Advanced Clean Cars II, beginning in Model Year 2026, 35% of the new cars sold would have been required to be electric vehicles, moving up to 100% in 2035.
If an auto manufacturer sells a standard vehicle out of compliance with California’s mandate, the governor’s office says they would have been required to pay a fine upwards of $20,000 per vehicle sold.
