Nick Langworthy, the representative for New York District 23, said that the House vote to reverse California’s gas vehicle ban is a significant victory against harmful electric vehicle (EV) mandates and detrimental to dealerships and workers.
“This push to force Americans into electric vehicles is nonsensical and dangerous,” said Langworthy, Congressman. “Forcing our dealerships to shoulder this burden would have had dire consequences. This mandate would have left dealerships with large inventories of unsold EVs, potentially leading to layoffs. This legislation’s passage in the House is a huge win for our auto-industry consumers, dealerships, and workers.”
According to Congress, in May 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 88, a resolution aimed at overturning a federal rule that would significantly tighten vehicle emissions standards and accelerate EV adoption. Opponents of the rule, including many House Republicans, argued it would burden dealerships and consumers by effectively mandating EV sales before market demand is sufficient. Supporters of the resolution claimed it protected consumer choice and small businesses from overregulation.
As reported by Carscoops, as of the second quarter of 2023, electric vehicles remained on U.S. dealership lots for an average of 92 days, compared to 51 days for all new vehicles. This extended inventory period indicates a slower turnover rate for EVs, raising concerns among dealers about meeting aggressive sales mandates without sufficient consumer demand. The disparity in inventory turnover underscores the challenges dealerships face in aligning EV supply with market readiness.
A report by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation highlights that the U.S. needs to install over 1 million additional public EV charging ports by 2030 to meet projected demand. As of the third quarter of 2024, only about 17% of the necessary public charging infrastructure was in place, with significant disparities across regions. This shortfall presents a substantial barrier to widespread EV adoption, particularly in rural areas lacking adequate charging facilities.
Langworthy has served New York’s 23rd Congressional District since 2022, representing areas including Chautauqua, Allegany, and parts of Erie and Steuben Counties. He sits on the House Rules, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight Committees and is active in multiple caucuses such as the Aviation Safety and Rural Health Caucuses. Langworthy prioritizes rural advocacy, economic development, and constituent services, reflecting his background in public service and his roots in Western New York.
