Phil Scott, Governor of Vermont, said that mandates are not the complete solution to achieving a low-carbon future as he paused Vermont’s enforcement of a multi-state electric vehicle (EV) sales plan. This statement was made on X.
“I issued an executive order to pause the enforcement of a multi-state plan,” said Scott. “requiring vehicle manufacturers to meet certain electric-vehicle sales targets. When it comes to transitioning to a low-carbon future, mandates are not the total answer.”
According to Vermont Biz, Governor Scott issued Executive Order 04-25, pausing enforcement of the state’s participation in a multi-state plan mandating EV sales targets. The order temporarily halts regulatory requirements for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle electrification benchmarks, citing infrastructure and feasibility concerns. Scott emphasized the need for practical implementation alongside mandates.
As reported by the White House, President Trump’s 2025 “Unleashing American Energy” executive order reversed several clean transportation policies. This included guidance aimed at reaching 50% electric vehicle sales by 2030 and halted federal spending on EV charging infrastructure. Funding under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and related provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act was paused pending review. The administration cited consumer affordability and energy independence as reasons for withdrawing regulatory EV targets.
According to NPR, federal fleet electrification efforts were scaled back following internal policy changes that directed agencies to stop ordering zero-emission vehicles and decommission certain EV chargers. The General Services Administration was instructed to reevaluate charger installations and disconnect non-essential units unless deemed mission-critical. These changes significantly slowed progress on transitioning the federal fleet to electric vehicles.
Phil Scott became the 82nd governor of Vermont in 2017 and was reelected to a fifth term in 2024, winning every municipality statewide. A lifelong Vermonter, Scott has prioritized economic growth, affordability, and public service, launching initiatives such as Wheels for Warmth and the Everyday Jobs Initiative. Before becoming governor, he served as lieutenant governor and spent ten years in the Vermont Senate, bringing both legislative and business experience to his administration, according to his biography on the Vermont government website.