The climate crisis is not a hypothetical threat. This summer, heat records were broken across the globe, with July topping the charts as the warmest month in recorded history. As our oceans warm and our ice caps melt, Maine, too, experiences the impacts of higher temperatures and rising sea levels. For years, this change has been evident to those who work in industries in Maine reliant on the weather. As a legislator, I’ve been proud to support a variety of efforts to help fight back against climate change and invest in Maine’s energy independence. The less reliant we are on fossil fuels, the better off our state’s economy and environment will be.

That’s why I recently testified before the Board of Environmental Protection to support the adoption of Advanced Clean Cars II Rule (ACC II). I know there’s a lot of confusion and concern going around on this rule, and I wanted to take the time to share why I support increasing the market for clean cars through this rule. It has been crafted for Maine and aims to address the transportation part of the Maine Won’t Wait Climate Action Plan.

The ACC II, as proposed, sets a goal of increasing the sale of clean cars and personal trucks to 82% of total new vehicle sales by 2032. To be clear: This goal would not apply to used vehicle sales. This change is part of a multi-pronged strategy to help Maine reach our climate goals. Maine has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030. With transportation being the leading contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, Maine simply cannot meet that target without addressing vehicles.

However, we need to make sure this transition is feasible from all angles. It’s not enough to simply set a goal. The cost of new electric vehicles continues to come down. As demand increases, manufacturers will adjust supply to meet the need, and prices will go down. We’re already seeing this: Carmakers will spend more than $515 billion on electric vehicle development through 2030. Enacting the full rule would encourage growth in these markets and ensure that electric vehicles make their way to our state.

Still, we know that market conditions can change. That’s why the ACC II provides for adjustments to the goals if needed. This shift simply won’t work if Mainers can’t afford it.

To that end, we also need to ensure that we are building the infrastructure to match. The federal government is investing $7 billion in new charging infrastructure. The state of Maine has an electric vehicle roadmap, and we are well on our way to addressing available public charging stations, including in our more rural communities. We also need to make sure mechanics are ready for this change as well — which is part of why this is a phased-in approach, and doesn’t target used car sales.

The numbers tell us that Mainers do want electric cars. The only thing keeping these numbers from growing more is lack of supply. From 2019 to 2021, the number of battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars in the State increased by 90 percent. That number increased another 26 percent by 2022. The transition to electric cars won’t just assist us in our statutory climate objectives, but it will also help Mainers live long and healthy lives. Pollutants from cars increase the risk of asthma, lung disease, and cancer. These health effects don’t even account for the countless other risks Mainers may face as a result of climate change, such as devastating storms and wildfires.