Never in my life did I think that the government, here in a major American state, would try to dictate people about what kind of vehicle should be used for transportation. But here we are. Reportedly, the California Air Resources Board decided that, by 2035, all new vehicles in the state would be required to run on electricity. This means that the state has moved to ban the sale of gas-only cars by 2035.
The new policy will not prohibit people from possessing and operating gas-powered vehicles in California, and people can also sell gas vehicles as used cars. But the selling of new gas-powered vehicles will not be allowed, if the California Air Resources Board is successful in its efforts.
As a freedom-loving American, I believe that government should not dictate people about whether they should drive electric vehicles or gas-powered ones. I think people should be able to decide what kind of cars they want to operate, whether it is now or in 2035. As an American consumer, I have driven gas-powered vehicles and also a hybrid vehicle. While I have never driven a fully electric car, I certainly am not opposed to electric vehicles. What I believe is that government regulators should not impose their choices on people.
Furthermore, the government should not try to influence people’s behavior for or against a particular type of vehicle. Both gas cars and electric vehicles are legal modes of transportation. Government employees must not spend their time and energy into trying to drive people towards specific products or services, such as electric cars. In this case, the California Air Resources Board is engaging in behavior that will favor one type of car over another, and therefore hurt competition in the private market.
And finally, government should not create an adverse business climate by imposing burdensome regulations. Manufacturers of both gas-driven and electric vehicles are in the market to make a profit by selling their products. They should be able to do so without burdensome regulations and interference from government. But the regulators in California are looking to completely end the sale of one type of product by requiring that, by 2035, all new vehicles in the state would be required to run on electricity.
Climate activists are waging a war against fossil fuels and are pushing for electric vehicles to be driven on America’s roads. However, it must be noted that fossil fuels are the largest source of energy for electricity generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Therefore, it is clear that America needs fossil fuels, now and in the foreseeable future.
What is happening in California is unacceptable. Such government interference in the private market must be challenged in the court of law. If California succeeds in imposing such regulations, then other states may try to implement similar rules and eliminate consumers’ ability to choose.
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