MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Minnesota becomes the 15th state to introduce clean car standards that push for more availability of electric and low-emission vehicles.
The new standards were finalized by the State Register on Monday. Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan made the announcement, saying that clean car standards will reduce carbon emissions, create “well-paid” jobs, boost Minnesota’s manufacturing industry, and increase Minnesota’s choice of buying cars. The couple visited Phillips and Temro Industries in Eden Prairie, which make clean auto parts.
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“As Minnesota becomes a clean car state, we’re creating jobs in every corner of the state, we’re giving Minnesotans more choice from their local auto dealers, we’re saving Minnesotan’s money, and we’re reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our environment for future generations,” said Walz. “These clean car standards are an asset across the board. Every Minnesotan will benefit from cleaner air, more auto options, economic growth, and less spending on foreign oil. “
The directive implements two standards for clean cars. One is a low emissions standard that requires vehicle manufacturers to offer vehicles with lower greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants for sale in Minnesota. The other is a zero-emissions standard that requires these manufacturers to have more “extremely low or zero tailpipe” vehicles for sale in Minnesota.
“Becoming a clean car state will make real strides in reducing our carbon footprint because we know Minnesota’s main source of greenhouse gas emissions is traffic,” Flanagan said. “Becoming a clean car state also means that Minnesotans here in Minnesota will have access to more clean models of cars and our children will have cleaner air to breathe.”
The governor’s office cited a poll by Consumer Reports that found the majority of Minnesotans have an interest in buying electric cars, trucks, and SUVs.
However, the new standards were heavily pushed back by the state’s GOP party, with Senate majority leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, calling the standards a continuation of Walz’s “one-man rule”.
“I’m not surprised that Governor Walz continues to issue mandates after the past 18 months. His emergency powers may be over, but his ego trip isn’t, and it looks like ‘One Minnesota’ is just ‘Walz’s Minnesota,’ ”Gazelka said. “Imposing California auto standards on drivers while we recover from the pandemic is not the right move for Minnesotans. Cleaner cars and electric vehicles are coming because innovations move us forward. Forcing electric vehicles to park before consumers ask for them means everyone pays more for their car: gasoline, electric or hybrid. “
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Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, also made a statement saying the new standards will increase the cost of all cars in the state.
“As inflation rises across the country thanks to democratic politics, Governor Walz is celebrating an expensive new California mandate that will raise the price of all cars by $ 1,000 or more,” said Heintzeman. “The simple economy dictates that if dealers want electric vehicles, they have them in stock. Instead of letting the market work, Governor Walz is making cars more expensive for all of Minnesota by bringing Californian mandates here to Minnesota. “
The Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association has also spoken out against the new standards, stating that Minnesota law should “make decisions about Minnesota emissions standards, not California”.
MADA claims the #mnleg should make decisions about Minnesota’s emissions standards, not California. pic.twitter.com/ftxxcwoP7T
– MADAtweets (@MADAtweets) May 7, 2021
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DFL executives, including the governor, claim the new standards will increase consumer choice in the state and help drivers save money as electric vehicles are cheaper to run and maintain than their gasoline counterparts.
