California Drags Virginia Into A Gas-Free Future

Estimated read time 3 min read

This is absolutely crazy!

You undoubtedly heard about California finalizing its plan to outlaw the sale of any new internal-combustion vehicles by 2035 in an attempt to bully automakers into promoting electrification. While some automakers are gleefully skipping to this all-electric future while laying off mass numbers of employees to free up resources for the incredibly expensive R&D rush through which they think they can crack the electrification code, other automakers who are smaller and less fortunate will struggle with these kinds of mandates, especially since California is causing a ripple effect of craziness.

Watch cops chase down a Polaris RZR here.

Many on the left still look to California as some sort of example of optimal governance. Laugh if you will, because it is funny what with the rolling blackouts, out-of-control crime, massive pollution, regular raging wildfires, and so many other obvious problems, but this means other blue states will follow. But most shocking is the fact Virginia has a trigger law – if you will – in place where the state is required to have the same automotive regulations as California.

This law was put in place back when Virginia was run by Democrats who obviously thought this was a brilliant plan. By tying their state to the whims of CARB they could own moderates and especially conservatives if they ever were voted in by the people through the democratic process. If you feel like this is a dirty hijacking of the system, well that’s because it is.

Now, this problem is also on Republicans in Virginia’s legislature because they’ve lacked the backbone to repeal the law. Something so insane surely should’ve been at the top of the list of the first legislative session.

The results of these EV mandates are predictable. Used cars will soar in value as many citizens of California, Virginia, Washington, and Massachusetts (undoubtedly more will jump on the bandwagon soon) try holding onto ICE vehicles. This will impact low-income households the most since they’ve grown to depend on cheap, reliable used cars and have to drive further than anyone to reach their workplace each day. This is a group Democrats say they care about deeply, yet their actions say something entirely different.

As more EVs enter a market, there will be a strain on the electric grid. Proponents of alternative propulsion don’t like hearing this at all, why you could say it triggers them, but it’s a fact. California, just like Texas, is a place where the grid is so fragile one would think government officials wouldn’t push for something which would require such an additional load. Some try to argue you can plug your EV in at night and it will provide electricity for the grid, but batteries also will be topped off if not close, especially for drivers who need the full driving range of their car.

One of the most obvious concerns is that when China goes on the offensive, the EV game will be seriously iced. Sure, the minerals required for the batteries and wiring can be found elsewhere, but thanks to incredibly strict mining laws and the fact the political party which is pushing for EV mandates won’t want to back down on those laws, disaster will surely strike. Maybe fortunately, that will likely happen before 2035.

Virginia needs to figure something out and fast. In the meantime, other states will likely be joining California in jumping off the cliff because peer pressure is a thing.

Sources: The Roanoke Star, The Hill

Images via Jack S, Gustavo Fring, Kindel Media

Steven Symes https://writerstevensymes.com/

Steven Symes is an accomplished automotive journalist with a passion for all things related to cars. His extensive knowledge and love for the automotive world shine through in his writing, which covers a diverse range of topics.

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