Nick Langworthy, the representative for New York District 23, expressed concerns about electric vehicle (EV) mandates, stating they are economically harmful and impractical for cold-weather regions. He cited that EV sales are below 2% in New York.
“New York State’s EV sales remain at below 2,” said Langworthy, Congressman. “I have long warned against these mandates and what they will do not only economically. how nonsensical this is in a region like NY-23 with extremely cold winter conditions. Democrats are not on the side of the American public.”
According to Recurrent, in the third quarter of 2024, electric vehicles accounted for 9.8% of new vehicle sales in New York State. This figure marks a significant increase from previous years, indicating growing adoption of EVs in the state. However, the overall percentage of EVs among all registered vehicles in New York remains at 1.31%, suggesting that while new sales are rising, the total EV presence on the roads is still relatively low.
As reported by Kaxe, cold weather conditions can significantly impact the performance of electric vehicles. Research indicates that freezing temperatures can reduce an EV’s driving range by approximately 25% to 41%, depending on various factors such as battery type and vehicle model. This reduction in range is primarily due to increased energy demands for cabin heating and the effects of cold temperatures on battery efficiency.
According to Recurrent, New York State has been actively expanding its electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the growing number of EVs. As of October 2024, the state had 16,951 public charging ports, making it one of the leading states in terms of charging availability. This expansion aims to alleviate range anxiety among EV users and encourage further adoption of electric vehicles.
Langworthy has represented New York’s 23rd Congressional District since 2022, covering Western New York and the Southern Tier. A former Chair of the New York Republican State Committee, he serves on the House Rules, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight Committees. Langworthy advocates for rural communities, co-chairs several caucuses including the Aviation Safety and Maple Caucuses, and emphasizes constituent service and local economic development.
