Requesting The Department Of Natural Resources And Environmental Control (dnrec) Pause And Reconsider The Process Of Promulgating The California Advanced Clean Car Ii (accii) Regulations That Seek To Restrict, And Ultimately Eliminate, The Sale And Registration Of New Light-duty Fuel-powered Vehicles In Delaware By Model Year 2035.
If implemented as currently proposed, the ACCII regulations would significantly alter the landscape of vehicle sales in Delaware, transitioning to a system requiring that zero-emission vehicles comprise 43% of new car sales by 2027, which escalates annually until 2035. This will effectively prohibit the sale and registration of any new ICE vehicles. The bill raises questions about potential penalties for manufacturers who do not comply and financial incentives for consumers—both topics that have yet to be adequately addressed by DNREC.
House Resolution 17 (HR17) seeks to request the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to pause and reconsider the implementation of the California Advanced Clean Car II (ACCII) regulations, which aim to phase out the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by model year 2035. The resolution emphasizes the need for further evaluation of the financial impacts and logistical feasibility of these regulations on Delaware residents, especially low and middle-income families. Proponents argue that the rapid transition could create issues regarding vehicle availability and affordability, given that only 0.31% of the registered vehicles in Delaware were electric as of 2021.
The sentiment surrounding HR17 is largely divided among lawmakers and the public. A survey indicated that around 73% of Delaware voters oppose banning the sale of new gasoline vehicles, with over 93% of public comments received during the ACCII promulgation process expressing similar opposition. Critics of the bill suggest that imposing such stringent regulations without extensive preparatory measures could place an undue burden on residents who may not find EVs accessible or suitable, while supporters maintain that moving towards sustainable energy sources is essential for public health and environmental reasons.
Key points of contention include concerns about the financial burden of transitioning to EVs on low and middle-income households, as well as the practicality of finding reliable charging options, particularly for those living in apartments or urban settings. There are also worries regarding the fairness of targeting consumer vehicle choices without considering current public sentiment against the mandated shifts. The resolution has prompted calls for comparative analyses with other Section 177 states—like Pennsylvania and Colorado—to consider more balanced approaches in car emissions regulations to mitigate significant economic impacts.