California, which faces a huge budget deficit, will spend $1.4 billion to expand its network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to help the drivers Gov. Gavin Newsom needs by 2035. [emphasis, links added]
As Breitbart News noted earlier this week, Newsom's electric vehicle mandate is in trouble, with sales well below targets.
Furthermore, as Los Angeles Times Newsom reportedly continues to propose new spending plans that raise eyebrows – The state faces a massive budget deficit despite massive coronavirus relief from the federal government under President Joe Biden's inflationary American Rescue PlanHe signed the agreement when he took office in 2021.
But the state is determined to push for electric vehicle mandates because washington post Thursday's report:
The California Energy Commission, the state agency that oversees energy policy, on Wednesday approved a $1.4 billion plan that regulators say will provide nearly 17,000 new chargers for passenger vehicles across the state, adding to the number currently available The number of public and private chargers exceeds 152,000. The money will be used over the next four years. State regulators said in a news release that at least 50% of the funds will go to heavily polluted areas of the state, such as communities near major highways, refineries and landfills.
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The move comes as Donald Trump returns to the White House, adding to uncertainty about the future of America's shift to electric vehicles.
Throughout the presidential campaign, Trump frequently attacked the Biden administration's climate policies and support for decarbonizing transportation through a shift to electric vehicles. His transition team is considering rolling back President Joe Biden's stricter vehicle fuel efficiency standards and eliminating tax credits for electric vehicle buyers in the climate law Biden signed. Without the credits, which can be worth up to $7,500 on new electric vehicles and $4,000 on used models, sales of electric vehicles could decline.
Newsom pledged last month to restore California electric vehicle tax rebate If President Trump is elected to eliminate federal tax credits for such vehicles, But the governor needs legislative approval — and funding is scarce.
Read more at Breitbart News
