On January 20, 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order that may change the electric vehicle (EV) programs in Maryland. This order could affect the growth of EV sales and the installation of EV chargers in the state. However, experts believe that Trump’s actions might face legal challenges, making the future of these changes uncertain.
The order aims to stop federal funding that supports the building of charging stations and the $7,500 tax rebate for people buying electric cars. This would impact Maryland, where many EV-related programs are getting federal support.
One of the key changes involves California’s strict car emissions rules. For years, California has had special permission from the federal government to set tougher standards for vehicle emissions. These standards have pushed car manufacturers to sell more electric cars in the state. Maryland, along with several other states, has adopted these rules. If the federal government revokes California’s special permission, Maryland will no longer be able to enforce those stricter rules.
However, experts say it won’t be easy for Trump to simply reverse these rules. Jon Mueller, an expert from the University of Maryland, pointed out that laws passed by Congress, like the funding for EV programs, cannot just be cancelled by a new president. This could lead to a legal battle that may take a long time to resolve.
How Trump’s Order Could Affect Maryland’s EV Programs
Trump’s executive order wants to remove funding from several programs that help build EV charging stations. One of these programs, called the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI), helps Maryland receive federal money to install charging stations along highways. So far, Maryland has already received $12.1 million from NEVI to help install chargers at places like gas stations, convenience stores, and other locations. But future funding could be stopped due to Trump’s order.
Over the next five years, Maryland is expected to get around $63 million in funding from NEVI. This money is crucial for the state’s efforts to expand its EV infrastructure, especially as Maryland plans to increase the number of electric cars on the road. By 2027, Maryland wants 43% of all new cars sold to be electric. The percentage will keep increasing each year until 2035, when the state plans to only allow the sale of electric cars.
Challenges and Concerns
While the state has made progress, some experts and car dealers in Maryland are worried about how the new regulations will impact the car industry. For example, Peter Kitzmiller, head of the Maryland Automotive Dealers Association, said that car dealers are worried they might not be able to sell enough electric cars to meet the new rules. He also pointed out that there may not be enough credits available for car manufacturers to buy to meet the sales targets.
The challenges are made even harder by the fact that fewer electric vehicles are expected to be sold in 2024 than initially thought. A consulting firm, J.D. Power, has lowered its forecast for EV sales in 2024 due to increased competition from gasoline-powered cars and higher vehicle prices.
What’s Next for Maryland and EVs?
With the future of funding uncertain and the potential for legal battles, Maryland is in a tough spot. The state will continue to rely on federal programs like NEVI and the Inflation Reduction Act to support the growth of its EV market, but the Trump administration’s actions could make reaching these goals more difficult.
Maryland’s electric vehicle targets are ambitious, and whether they can be achieved will depend on how federal rules and funding programs evolve over the next few years. As of now, the state is waiting for more guidance from the federal government about how Trump’s executive order will affect the ongoing programs.
Conclusion
While President Trump’s executive order has put Maryland’s electric vehicle programs in danger, the outcome remains uncertain. Legal challenges, uncertainty in the car industry, and potential cuts to funding all make it unclear whether Maryland will meet its electric vehicle goals in the coming years. However, car manufacturers and dealers are committed to selling more electric vehicles, and the transition to electric cars will continue regardless of federal actions.
(Source : newsbreak.com)
