Electric vehicles are an interesting technology, and for some drivers in some situations, they make sense. But mandating them for everyone reveals more about political ambition than environmental reality.

Cost is the first barrier. The average new EV transaction price is approximately $55,000, compared to $48,000 for all vehicles. For lower-income Americans — the people who most need affordable transportation — EVs remain out of reach even with subsidies. Those subsidies largely benefit wealthier buyers, making them a regressive wealth transfer.

The environmental benefits are overstated. The production of EV batteries requires mining lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth minerals with significant environmental impact. A single EV battery requires processing about 25,000 pounds of raw materials. Cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo involves approximately 40,000 child laborers, according to UNICEF. The carbon footprint of manufacturing an EV is significantly higher than a gas car — it takes 50,000-75,000 miles of driving to reach the break-even point.

The electrical grid can't support mass EV adoption. California, which leads in EV mandates, also asks residents to avoid charging EVs during peak hours because the grid can't handle the load. A nationwide shift to EVs would require a 25-30% increase in electricity generation, much of which still comes from natural gas and coal.

Cold weather performance is a real concern. AAA found that EV range drops 12-41% in cold temperatures. In a 2024 Chicago cold snap, Tesla charging stations had lines of dead cars that couldn't charge in extreme cold. For rural Americans who drive long distances in harsh weather, EVs are impractical.

Let consumers choose. If EVs become better and cheaper, adoption will happen naturally. Mandates force a technology that isn't ready for everyone onto people who can't afford the transition.