Trade group says DeSantis’ veto of EVs bill cost taxpayers $277 million
In Florida, the Orlando Sentinel reported that Florida state Governor Ron DeSantis’ veto of electric cars bill would cost taxpayers a total of $277 million, according to a trade association of clean energy firms.
The electric car bill, SB 284 would have required all state and local governments, colleges and universities to buy vehicles based on their lowest lifetime costs. Current law requires such purchases to be based on fuel efficiency, according to the report.
It ordered the Department of Management Services to make recommendations by July 1, 2024, to state agencies, colleges, universities and local governments about buying EVs and other vehicles powered by renewable fuels.
The law could have saved state and local governments $277 million over 15 years by adding more electric vehicles to their fleets, said Michael Weiss, the Florida state lead at Advanced Energy United, a trade association of clean energy companies.
“This veto is a baffling decision that will cost Florida taxpayers millions of dollars,” Weiss said. “The Florida Legislature saw the clear economic and taxpayer benefits of a modern and efficient state fleet, but Gov. DeSantis somehow didn’t get the memo.”
