Government Overreach on Wheels: Why Forcing EVs on Mainers Is the Wrong Road to Take

Your car. Your choice. At least, it used to be.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recently considered what they called a “minor policy change” that would have had a major impact: requiring new car dealerships to only purchase electric vehicles (EVs) from manufacturers.

Your car. Your choice. At least, it used to be.

Let’s be clear—I’m not anti-EV. I’ve got friends who love their Teslas and others who drive EVs with pride. Would I consider buying one? Sure—if it fit my budget and my needs. But that’s the point—it should be your choice, not a government mandate.

This isn't about environmentalism. It's about freedom and overreach. The government isn’t directly telling you what to buy—but they’re cutting off your options. If this policy had passed, you’d have to go out of state to buy a non-EV vehicle. That hurts Maine drivers and Maine dealerships—hardworking local businesses already facing enough challenges.

What They Aren’t Telling You About EVs

There are other serious issues Mainers have raised about this policy:

• EV tech isn’t ready for long-haul travel, especially in rural areas.

• Battery replacement is costly, environmentally hazardous, and relies on materials mined under inhumane conditions.

• Electricity demand will skyrocket, and Maine’s electric rates are already 46% higher than the national average.

Add to that the irony that our power grid still relies heavily on fossil fuels, and it’s clear: this isn’t the green solution it claims to be.

This Is Bigger Than Cars

This is about what kind of government we want in Maine. Do we want one that listens to its people—or one that pushes top-down policies that limit our choices and hurt local economies?

The good news? Thanks to overwhelming public response, the DEP backed down on this mandate. That’s a win—but the fight isn’t over. I fully expect this issue to come back in front of the legislature soon.

Where I Stand

As your next governor, I will always stand for freedom of choice, limited government, and policies that put Mainers first. If EVs make sense for you—great! But it’s not the government’s job to make that decision for you.

Let’s keep Maine moving forward—on the road we choose, not one paved by bureaucrats.

– Robert Wessels, Candidate for Governor of Maine