(TheRedWire.com) – New Mexico’s Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, signed an executive decree on Monday requiring all state government agencies to shift towards a fully electric vehicle fleet by 2035. This was announced during her speech at the State Department of Transportation’s Symposium on the Future of Transportation in New Mexico. In addition, Governor Lujan Grisham stated her intent to enhance electric vehicle (EV) tax credits to improve affordability. Her executive order reflects her ongoing efforts to promote EV adoption throughout the state.
Governor Lujan Grisham emphasized the growing demand from consumers and dealers for increased access to electric vehicles. She highlighted the measures taken through Clean Car regulations and the proposed tax credits as steps toward creating a level playing field for EVs. The governor also underscored her commitment to leading by example, ensuring that the state government sets a precedent by transitioning its entire fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, making it entirely electric.
Grisham pledged that in 2035, the state’s entire government fleet would consist of 100% electric vehicles. The executive order specifies that all state departments and agencies must procure electric vehicles for all new vehicle acquisitions. However, there are exceptions for vehicles used in law enforcement, firefighting, and heavy-duty applications.
At the beginning of this year, Governor Lujan Grisham introduced Clean Car rules, which require automakers to increase the proportion of newly available zero-emission cars and light-duty trucks in New Mexico annually, commencing from 2026. The percentage of zero-emission vehicles will progressively rise, culminating in a requirement that 82% of model year 2032 cars sold in the state must be zero-emission by 2031. The governor believes these rules will encourage investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, create job opportunities, and improve New Mexico’s air.
New Mexico’s efforts to promote EV adoption align with a broader national trend. The federal government has implemented strict regulations on tailpipe emissions and fuel economy standards, which experts predict will drive up the cost of traditional gasoline-powered cars in the coming years. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also reinstated California’s authority under the Clean Air Act to enforce its own emission standards. This move led California to enact a 2035 EV mandate, which several other states have emulated.
In response, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bipartisan bill, with a 222-190 vote, to overturn the federal waiver granted to California. Supporters of the bill argue that it aims to ensure that Americans can choose practical, functional, and affordable cars without relying on restrictive government mandates. They believe this approach is essential to preserve the legacy of the American auto industry.
Copyright 2023, TheRedWire.com
