By Morgan Sweeney
(The Center Square) — A majority of Virginians support repealing the 2021 law that ties the commonwealth’s electric vehicle policies to California’s, according to a non-partisan polling group.
The poll, conducted by the political and public-policy polling organization Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, found nearly 60% of Virginians support repealing the mandate. In comparison, only 30% of those surveyed oppose the repeal.
As it currently stands, the law would ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in the commonwealth in 2035. To that end, it also requires that 35% of all new cars and trucks sold in Virginia in 2025 must be electric or zero-emissions.
The poll asked respondents if they were aware of the law and whether they believed the Virginia General Assembly “should or should not repeal this forthcoming ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars and trucks.”
Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed said the assembly should repeal the ban; 30% said it should not, and 13% were unsure.
The poll grouped respondents into six regions: Northern Virginia, Shenandoah/Piedmont, Richmond Metro, Hampton Roads, Lynchburg/Southside and Roanoke/Southwest.
Support for repeal was highest in the Roanoke/Southwest region of the state at 73% and lowest in Northern Virginia at 41%. However, those favoring repeal outnumbered those opposing it in every region by an average of 32%.
Even surveyed Democrats were 45%-38% in favor of repeal, with 17% unsure. Republicans supported repeal, 74%-14%, and Independents 54%-35%.
A bill has been introduced by Del. Tony Wilt for the 2024 General Assembly session that would repeal the regulations imposed by the Clean Cars law.
Morgan Sweeney is a staff writer covering Virginia and Maryland for The Center Square. Morgan was an active member of the journalism program as an undergraduate at Hillsdale College and previously freelanced for The Center Square.
Originally published by The Center Square. Republished with permission.
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