SANTA FE, NM—In a letter sent to the Governor, State Representatives Jim Townsend (R-Artesia), Larry Scott (R-Hobbs), and Rod Montoya (R-Farmington) ask the Governor to consider adding House Bill 76, which repeals a recent rule that will increase vehicle prices for New Mexicans, to floor debate.

The recent rule adopted by the Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) mandates, starting in 2026, that 43% of an auto dealers’ fleet to New Mexico be zero emissions. That percentage increases to 82% by 2032.

Pdf documents below

Rep. Townsend stated, “an unelected board should not make decisions that adversely affect the market and regulate the types of cars consumers can purchase. This decision is meant for elected representatives to discuss and debate in our State Capitol.” The EIB voted in favor of the rule by a 3-2 vote and House Republicans agree that the rule is premature due to a rising concern over accessibility in a rural state, charging issues, infrastructure costs, and consumer demand.

Regarding the manufacturing of electric vehicles, Rep. Larry Scott said “major auto manufacturers are scaling back their investments into more EV production because consumer demand is lagging, and the last thing we need is a transportation supply chain crisis paired with higher prices and fewer choices for New Mexicans.” It has been widely reported that major auto dealers are readjusting their EV production due to weak sales and fragile consumer buy-in.

Electric vehicles are, on average, $10,000 more than your standard gas-powered vehicle which puts New Mexicans in a difficult financial reality, not to mention the state would need to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to retrofit the electric grid to support this mandate, providing charging stations and other infrastructure throughout the fifth largest state in the union, all at the expense of the taxpayer. Rep. Montoya concluded, “we believe in free markets and trust the consumer to make decisions that best fits their preferences and situation. Santa Fe should not control the market; that’s up to New Mexicans.”