An executive order to mandate electric-vehicle sales presents economic and environmental problems.
On August 5, President Biden issued an executive order setting a goal that, by 2030, half of new vehicles sold in the United States must be electric—including fuel-cell electric, plug-in hybrids, and full-battery electric. Today, only about 3 percent of new vehicles sold are electric. According to Biden, the measure will “improve our economy and public health, boost energy security, secure consumer savings, advance environmental justice, and address the climate crisis.” In fact, it is likely to do the opposite of all those things.
