Newly released electric vehicle sales data has sparked a mix of reactions in Colorado. While policymakers are celebrating, the reality beneath the surface is more intricate. Let's delve deeper into this evolving situation.

Unraveling Colorado's Electric Vehicle Market Dynamics

Initial Sales Success and Political Pride

According to a recent report from the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, electric vehicles made a significant impact in Colorado's third quarter of 2024. They accounted for 25.3 percent of all new cars sold, leaving California, the long-time national leader, in second place with 24.3 percent. Governor Polis hailed this as a sign of Coloradoans' preference for electric vehicles, stating, "Coloradans are purchasing electric vehicles at a higher rate than any other state because they are affordable, quiet, and a great ride." The Colorado Energy Office's Executive Director, Will Toor, added that their efforts in charging infrastructure and incentives were paying off.However, it's important to view this single quarter of strong sales in context. As the state's electric vehicle dashboard shows, EVs still represent just 3.25 percent of all light-duty vehicles on Colorado roads, far from the "100 percent by 2050" goal. In the nearer term, the Governor's Greenhouse Gas Roadmap aims for 940,000 electric vehicles by 2030, but currently, there are just over 156,000.

The Impact on Climate Goals

While the report's findings may be good for political public relations, they don't tell the whole story. Colorado briefly outperforming California doesn't significantly move the needle on the state's climate goals. In fact, it belies the unjust nature of the policy support that led to this success. Context is crucial here.Even in terms of new sales share, last quarter's high of 25 percent still lags behind the regulatory goals set by the Governor. His administration's air quality rules aim to eventually require 82 percent of new light-duty vehicles sold in Colorado to be electric. But it's not clear if EVs have won over enough Coloradans' hearts and minds to meet these goals.

The Role of Subsidies

Rather than a sudden shift in consumer preference, the report suggests that a specific subset of the population took advantage of the generous subsidies available. In mid-2024, it was the prime time to purchase an electric vehicle and capture various tax incentives worth up to $26,500. The state government introduced one of the most generous electric vehicle tax credits in mid-2023 and even boosted it by 50 percent in 2024. But this initial credit is set to decrease by about 30 percent in 2025.Climate advocates may see the temporary sales boost as evidence of the subsidies' effectiveness, but most residents have concerns. There are philosophical issues with using public money to support certain businesses and the distortion it causes to the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. EV subsidies also funnel money to wealthier residents, as studies have shown. At the federal level, EV subsidies are highly regressive, with the top 20 percent of earners capturing 80 percent of available subsidies.In Colorado, being a wealthier state than the national average, it's likely that electric vehicles are going to more affluent households. The state's EV dashboard also highlights the economic disparity among current EV owners. Disproportionately Impacted Communities, which make up a significant portion of the population, currently have a lower share of registered EVs.National surveys indicate that most current EV owners use them to supplement their gas-powered vehicles. An Experian consumer research report found that 89 percent of households with an electric vehicle had at least two vehicles, and 81 percent had a gas-powered car as a second vehicle.So, in the end, the Governor's announcement is a celebration of a specific group of wealthy Coloradans buying secondary vehicles with taxpayer-funded support. It's a reality that doesn't quite live up to the initial hype.

In Cleveland, while national leaders consider cutting back or dismissing mandates for electric vehicle (EV) production, Ohio is actively expanding its EV infrastructure. The state is in the midst of a five-year program funded with $140 million from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, aiming to add more chargers across the state. Governor Mike DeWine emphasized in July 2023 that building a statewide network of chargers will enable EV travel and attract more visitors.

President-elect Trump's Stance and Ohio's Response

Currently, President-elect Trump has largely condemned electric vehicles, advocating for their removal from mandates. Ohio Senator-elect Bernie Moreno stated during his election acceptance speech in November that EV mandates should be abolished at the federal level, allowing consumers to choose the cars they want. In Ohio, if you buy an all-electric vehicle, you face an additional $200 fee each time you register and renew your vehicle. This fee was set several years ago as hybrids and electric cars don't require frequent trips to gas stations, and the gas tax is the main source of funding for road maintenance.Arguments for and against EV FeesGrace Gallucci, executive director and CEO at the Northeast Ohio Area Coordinating Agency (NOACA), explained the dilemma. "There is an argument on both sides. We should ensure everyone pays their fair share for using the road network throughout the state. On the other hand, we want to encourage EVs due to their positive impact on air quality. Perhaps the fees should be lowered or even removed altogether," she said.NOACA is using state and federal dollars to add more than 100 EV charging stations along popular roadways over the next several years. This shows Ohio's efforts to catch up and become more competitive in the modern infrastructure era.The Role of Electrical ContractorsJose Ramos and his team at Alternalite, an electrical contractor specializing in EV charging installations, are playing a crucial role. They are helping install dozens of chargers as part of the effort to eliminate charging deserts and keep up with the market. Currently, more than 50% of their business is EV installations. Ramos noted that Ohio is somewhat behind in this regard and there is still a long way to go to make EV drivers feel comfortable enough to make the purchase.EV Ownership Experience of Brandon AndrewBrandon Andrew made the switch to an EV two months ago and is now adapting to the lifestyle. He finds it a bit challenging but also fun to think differently. He has to be more forward-thinking and know in advance if there are chargers in certain places and the current battery status. However, he has done the math and still expects to save more by not buying gas. He doesn't see the fundamental differences as others do; he believes the car drives like a regular car, just drawing power from a different source.Ohio's Ranking in EV RegistrationOhio ranks 17th in the nation when it comes to registered EVs on the road, with over 50,000 registered EV vehicles. This indicates the growing popularity and potential of EVs in the state.Clay LePard is a special projects reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow him on Twitter @ClayLePard, on Facebook Clay LePard News 5 or email him at Clay.LePard@WEWS.com.Download the News 5 Cleveland app now for more stories and alerts. Download on your Apple device here and your Android device here. You can also catch News 5 Cleveland on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu Live and more. We're also on Amazon Alexa devices. Learn more about our streaming options here.