Harford News

Kathy Szeliga, a delegate for Maryland, has signed a letter urging Governor Wes Moore to withdraw the state from the California Advanced Clean Cars 11 (CACC 11) Zero-Emission Vehicle mandate. The letter, signed on January 25, argues that the mandate is economically harmful.

"Marylanders deserve the freedom to choose vehicles that meet their needs, and our state's auto dealers deserve the assurance that unworkable policies will not jeopardize their livelihoods," said Morgan. "The 43% electric vehicle (EV) mandate for model year 2027 is wholly unrealistic. Delaying implementation, as you did in 2023, is not enough. You can correct this course with a simple pen stroke."

According to the letter, Maryland's Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) mandate requires that by 2027, 43% of all new vehicle sales must be electric. This represents a significant increase from current market demand. The letter states that fewer than 10% of vehicles in Maryland are currently electric and notes that adoption rates are decreasing rather than increasing. It warns that this requirement forces dealerships to stock vehicles that many consumers "cannot or will not buy," potentially pushing sales out of state and harming local businesses.

The letter also addresses concerns about Maryland's charging infrastructure, which it claims is not prepared to support a large-scale transition to electric vehicles. It cites federal efforts that allocated $7.5 billion in 2021 for a national EV charging network but notes that only seven stations have been built nationwide after three years. Without significant expansion of Maryland's charging network, many residents may struggle to adopt EVs due to range anxiety and lack of convenient charging options.

According to Maryland State Wire, 149 car dealerships in Maryland have publicly opposed the state's EV mandate. They warn it could harm both businesses and consumers, arguing that demand for electric vehicles remains low in the state. Forcing dealerships to stock EVs that customers are not buying could create financial instability. Many dealerships have urged Governor Moore to reconsider the mandate to protect jobs and ensure consumer choice in the vehicle market.

The Institute for Energy Research highlights environmental concerns related to manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The mining and refining processes required for materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are energy-intensive and generate high carbon emissions. Studies indicate that EV battery production creates more CO₂ emissions than manufacturing traditional gasoline-powered cars, raising questions about the overall environmental benefits of EV mandates.

Born on October 10, 1961, in Baltimore, Maryland, Kathryn “Kathy” Szeliga graduated from Perry Hall High School in 1979. Before her political career, she worked various jobs including dishwasher, maid, and waitress, before co-founding a construction business with her husband Mark in 1986, which she still manages. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Towson University, graduating summa cum laude, and briefly taught in Baltimore City schools. Szeliga has served as a Republican Delegate for District 7A (Baltimore County) in the Maryland House of Delegates since January 12, 2011, and was the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016.