Staff Reports
The U.S. House has taken a huge step in striking down the Biden administration’s push for aggressive electric vehicle standards, and conservative groups are cheering in their pickup trucks all across the heartland. The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act, known as the CARS Act, received a bipartisan stamp of approval with a vote of 221-197 on Wednesday. Now, the measure heads to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.
Groups, including Illinois Corn Growers, applaud measure to protect automobile choicehttps://t.co/RVeu4m9GIJ
— The Center Square (@thecentersquare) December 7, 2023
This bill slams the brakes on an unrealistic Biden administration initiative that would have forced two out of every three new vehicles to be electric by 2032. Can you imagine the horror of being told what kind of truck you have to drive? The CARS Act also puts a roadblock in front of the EPA from enforcing future vehicle emissions regulations that would limit the availability of vehicles based on engine type. This is a huge win for freedom-loving Americans who want to be able to choose the vehicles that suit their lifestyles, regardless of what the big government bureaucrats think is best for them.
The Illinois Corn Growers Association is revving its engines in celebration of this victory. Director of public policy for Illinois Corn, Brad Stotler, made it crystal clear that rural farmers simply can’t be expected to hop on the electric vehicle bandwagon. Without the infrastructure to support widespread electric vehicle usage in rural areas, it’s just plain unrealistic to force farmers to abandon their trusty gas-guzzling trucks. Let the city folks have their electric cars and charging stations – out here in the heartland, we need vehicles that can handle the rough terrain and long distances without needing a recharge every 200 miles.
Governor J.B. Pritzker may be pushing for 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030, but that’s just more evidence of out-of-touch government overreach. His fancy electric vehicle rebate program might sound appealing to some, but nearly 4,000 car dealers have already voiced their opposition to the EV mandate because, surprise, there’s not enough demand from consumers. People don’t want to be told what kind of car to drive, especially when there’s plenty of gas-powered options that can go twice the distance of an electric vehicle.
The Department of Energy has also pointed out that the average range of gasoline vehicles far surpasses that of electric vehicles. Let’s face it, when you have to choose between a car that can go over 400 miles on a single tank and one that needs a recharge after 200 miles, the decision seems pretty clear. And the government meddling in this issue isn’t just bad news for consumers – it spells trouble for Illinois corn growers, too. Mandating the use of electric vehicles could cripple the demand for ethanol and ultimately hurt the hardworking farmers who rely on the corn industry for their livelihoods.
In the battle to reduce carbon emissions in transportation fuels, agricultural groups are eager to be part of the solution. They recognize the importance of addressing environmental concerns without trampling on the rights and choices of everyday Americans. This is exactly why the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers are standing shoulder to shoulder with those who oppose the EPA’s heavy-handed tactics. AFPM CEO Chet Thompson clearly spelled out that a majority of Americans are against the EPA’s push to practically ban traditional vehicles. It’s just bad policy all around, and it’s time for our government to start making decisions that make sense for consumers and our country’s best interests.
