Michigan House Passes Bill That Would Complicate Sales Of Electric Vehicles
Monday, December 7, 2020
Contact:
Larisa Manescu, Sierra Club, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Tim Minotas, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, tim.minotas@sierraclub.org
Lansing, MI - Despite a coalition of 15 stakeholders opposing the bill, the Michigan House passed HB 6233 on Wednesday, legislation that would stifle the state’s ability to reach its climate goals by banning electric vehicle manufacturers from providing direct sales and service on their products.
The Senate is expected to consider the bill this week.
Given the significance of cleaning up the transportation sector, which makes up the majority of climate-disrupting pollution in Michigan, the passage of HB 6233 would make it difficult for Governor Whitmer to adhere to her recent executive order that sets Michigan on a path towards carbon neutrality by 2050.
In response to the bill’s passage in the House, Tim Minotas, the Legislative and Political Coordinator at Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter, released the following statement:
“At a time when Michigan should be accelerating the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, manufactured in the US and available for people of all income levels, this legislation does the opposite. The Sierra Club opposes the House’s passage of HB 6233 and urges the Senate to reject this legislation that would have a chilling effect on electric vehicle sales, innovation, and consumer choice; if this bill makes it to Governor Whitmer’s desk, we strongly urge her to veto it.
“Michigan is the nation’s leading auto state and the need to clean up transportation pollution for the health of our communities is dire. Our elected officials must pass legislation that makes the transition to cleaner vehicles for the state and nation easier, not more difficult.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
