by Scott McClallen
Polling from the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, the leading trade association of fuel, shows seven states oppose gas car bans.
Polling from the presidential and senate battleground states of Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, shows most registered and likely general election voters oppose government efforts to ban new gas cars and impose electric vehicle mandates.
The results showed:
- Arizona: 61% oppose, 16% support.
- Michigan: 87% oppose, 8% support.
- Montana: 74% oppose, 9% support.
- Nevada: 61% oppose, 14% support.
- Ohio: 66% oppose, 11% support.
- Pennsylvania: 57% oppose, 32% support.
- Wisconsin: 64% oppose, 32% support.
The national polling shows 60% of likely 2024 general election voters oppose the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal to require nearly 70% of new cars sold in the United States to be electric instead of gas-powered. Opposition among Independents is 61%. Among Republicans, it is 87%.
In Michigan, nearly 71% of those who identify as “strong democrats” oppose bans, as do “lean democrats” (82.5%) and Independents (91.3%).
President Joe Biden’s has a target of 50% electric vehicle sales by 2030. Michigan has fallen 1.9 million vehicles behind its goal of reaching 2 million EVs by 2030.
Range anxiety, sparse charging networks and higher upfront costs have scared many consumers of EVs.
General Motors has laid off more than 1,300 workers and bought out 5,000 more employees in the electric vehicle transition.
A Marshall, Michigan Ford Motor Co. site was set to receive a $1.75 billion subsidy, including $630M in site infrastructure development, $772M in tax credits over 15 years, a $120M grant through the Michigan Strategic Site Readiness Program, a $210M grant through the Michigan Critical Industry Program and $36M through the Jobs for Michigan Investment Fund Loan Program before it cut 800 jobs amid weak demand for EVs.
U.S. lawmakers asked for a probe of the supply chain of the Marshall plant, claiming four companies supply goods and services to the People’s Liberation Army, the government of North Korea, China’s Ministry of Public Security, companies engaged in the genocide of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and companies already on the Commerce Entity List.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed a $25 million program to offer $2,000 for an electric vehicle and an extra $500 if it is union-made.
Electric vehicle proponents say switching to EVs will reduce pollution, cost less over time from less oil changes and maintenance, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Whitmer posted on social media:
“Michigan auto manufacturing is a driving force in the transition to electric vehicles! With the latest $70 million in grants from @POTUS’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we will continue making the best cars in the world.”
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Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi. In 2021, he published a book on technology and privacy. He co-hosts the weekly Michigan in Focus podcast.
