‘We have to be realistic’: Scott pauses Vermont’s electric vehicle rules

Gov. Phil Scott issued an executive order this week pausing penalties for manufacturers who fail to hit certain electric vehicle sales quotas set to kick in later this year.

Three years ago, Vermont agreed to require “an increasing percentage” of passenger cars, trucks and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold in the state to be electric starting late this year, with the end goal being to stop selling gas-powered vehicles completely by 2035.

On Tuesday, however, Scott said in his executive order that the plan’s original timeline is no longer feasible due to lack of supportive infrastructure, lagging interest in electric vehicles and “federal disruptions” like tariffs, which are raising costs and “causing supply chain uncertainty.”

“I continue to believe we should be incentivizing Vermonters to transition to cleaner energy options like electric vehicles,” said Scott in a press release announcing his executive order. “However, we have to be realistic about a pace that’s achievable. It’s clear we don’t have anywhere near enough charging infrastructure and insufficient technological advances in heavy-duty vehicles to meet current goals.”

Vermont may have the most electric vehicle chargers per capita in the nation, but even the fastest charging stations in the state take hours to fully charge a vehicle, Scott said during a press conference on Wednesday. He added that the oldest charging stations take 12-16 hours, requiring people to prepare well in advance if they want to travel.

“You can’t rely on that if you’re going to be traveling in Vermont, especially on a cold winter day,” Scott said. “Your range might be 200 miles. If you’ve got to go to Brattleboro and back, you’re challenged.”

Scott has experienced the inconvenience of charging EVs

As an example, Scott recounted his experiences with the electric Ford F-150 his administration purchased back in August 2022, admitting that he’s had to delay travel plans or make other travel arrangements in the past because of how inconvenient charging the vehicle can be.

“We have much more work to do in order to make it more convenient, faster, and more affordable to buy, maintain and charge EV’s,” Scott said in his press release. “When we do, it’s more likely every day Vermonters will make the switch.”

Where consumer interest in electric vehicles stands now, manufacturers and local dealers are struggling to meet Vermont’s zero emission vehicle sales goals, Scott said during his Wednesday press conference. To hit sales targets, some manufacturers are “forcing” dealers to receive and sell a certain number of electric vehicles before they supply dealers with more gas-powered cars and trucks, which are still in much higher demand, Scott said.

“And dealers aren’t able to sell them,” Scott said, hurting them financially.

To avoid penalties for failing to meet electric vehicle sales totals, manufacturers can no longer impose the aforementioned zero emission vehicle “ratios” on dealerships, must deliver vehicles in a “timely manner” and must provide reports demonstrating they are continuing to “promote and market” electric vehicles, such as building more charging infrastructure and including electric vehicles in “ride and drive” events.

“The enforcement discretion is only available to them if they are continuing to provide the services Vermonters are requesting,” said Secretary Julie Moore of the Agency of Natural Resources during Scott’s press conference.

The executive order was effective immediately and will continue until Dec. 31, 2026 or until Scott, upon consulting with Moore, amends or rescinds the order.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.