Baltimore City Wire

Maryland's decision to adopt California's vehicle emission standards has been met with criticism from 4MyCiTy Inc, a Baltimore-based nonprofit. The organization expressed its views on January 22 via X, advocating for the state to pursue its own policies instead.

The announcement came in response to a letter from the Maryland Freedom Caucus regarding the state's Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) mandate. This mandate requires that by 2027, 43% of all new vehicle sales in Maryland be electric, which is a significant increase from current market demand. The letter notes that fewer than 10% of vehicles in Maryland are currently electric and that adoption rates are decreasing. It warns that this requirement could force dealerships to stock vehicles that consumers "cannot or will not buy," potentially driving sales out of state and harming local businesses.

A study conducted by J.D. Power in 2024 found that only 24% of new-vehicle shoppers were "very likely" to consider purchasing an electric vehicle, down from 26% the previous year. This decline indicates ongoing consumer hesitancy toward electric vehicle adoption due to factors such as cost, charging infrastructure, and range anxiety. The study underscores the disparity between regulatory targets and consumer readiness.

According to Maryland State Wire, 149 car dealerships in Maryland have publicly opposed the state's electric vehicle mandate. They argue that demand for electric vehicles remains low and that being forced to stock EVs not being purchased by customers will lead to financial instability. Many dealerships have urged Governor Moore to reconsider the mandate in order to protect jobs and ensure consumer choice within the vehicle market.

4MyCiTy was founded in October 2018 by Christopher Dipnarine and focuses on environmental sustainability and combating food insecurity through innovative food waste management strategies. The organization employs a four-phase approach—source reduction, feeding the hungry, industrial use, and composting—and has reportedly diverted over 260 million pounds of food from landfills while providing an estimated 217 million meals to families across Maryland and beyond.