DOVER, Del. — Senate Republican leaders voiced strong support Thursday for what they say is Governor Matt Meyer’s decision to oppose Delaware’s electric vehicle mandate, a policy that has faced years of public backlash and political resistance.
In response, Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn of Georgetown has reintroduced legislation aimed at blocking the regulation, which was set in motion under the administration of former Governor John Carney.
The mandate follows California’s Advanced Clean Car II standards. If fully implemented, it would require 43 percent of new cars sold in Delaware by the 2027 model year to be either zero-emission or plug-in hybrids. That target would rise to 82 percent by 2032.
“This was never about clean air, it was about control,” said Senate Republican Leader Gerald Hocker of Ocean View. “Delawareans have made it overwhelmingly clear they do not want an unelected state agency unilaterally dictating what kind of new cars they can or cannot buy.”
The opposition is not new. In 2023, DNREC received nearly 5,000 public comments on the proposal, with over 93 percent against it. Polling that year also found 73 percent of Delaware voters opposed the adoption of California-style vehicle regulations, including many who otherwise favor environmental protections.
Senator Pettyjohn's updated bill, based on 2023's Senate Bill 96, is designed to nullify the current EV mandate and ensure that future vehicle regulations receive legislative approval rather than being enacted solely through executive agencies.
“People deserve choices, not mandates,” said Pettyjohn. “EVs may work well for some, but practically forcing them on everyone, especially without the infrastructure in place, is reckless. I thank Governor Meyer for recognizing that and listening to the people of Delaware instead of blindly following California’s lead.”
Senator Pettyjohn’s revised legislation was sent to legislators this afternoon for co-sponsorship consideration.