Letters to the Editor

EVs are great for car owners and great for New Mexico 

Editor: 

When it was time for our family to get a new car in 2018, my husband knew our best option was an electric vehicle. I worried about needing to remember to plug it in to recharge the battery but, for our family and future, it was important to know that we could drive affordably, and without polluting the air of our community. 

For the past five years now, I have driven my Chevy Bolt and been so grateful to have it. Driving around my community, up to Colorado or down to Truth or Consequences, I relish knowing I am not contributing to our air quality crisis. Not only that, it’s easy and fun to drive. As gas prices remain volatile, I love driving by gas stations and waving “I don’t need you!” Every time I see a new electric truck, van or bus in my community, I feel grateful that our transportation sector is moving towards zero emissions. 

In New Mexico, transportation is the second highest emitting sector, only behind oil and gas extraction and production. Not only are fossil fuel cars and trucks exacerbating our climate crisis, they are also polluting the air we breathe. Tailpipe and diesel pollution are both extremely harmful to the health of our communities, especially our most vulnerable communities and are known to worsen asthma, lung disease and cancer.  

The health impacts are very real and being felt by so many, including my husband who now as late onset allergic asthma. The air pollution from transportation emitters, and other sources, really impacts his breathing. 

I want everyone in the state to have access to a zero-emission EV should they want to have that opportunity. Right now, New Mexico has the opportunity to expand consumer EV options, clean up our air, and get more clean vehicles on the road with the Advanced Clean Cars II standard. Our state is currently only considering a partial adoption of the rule but, with full adoption, New Mexico could reach 100 percent new EV sales by 2035 and unlock substantially more health and economic benefits. 

By setting a gradually increasing sales target for EVs, we can ensure that New Mexicans can access the best EV models and open up a more expansive secondary market for used EVs. When my family got our EV, we took advantage of the available $7,500 federal tax credit that lowered the cost substantially and made getting a new EV within reach. The lowered initial cost, coupled with basically no maintenance and really low fuel costs (we can charge cheaply at home overnight), means our family saves money while helping to clean up our air. 

In the five years since I got my EV, New Mexico and other states across the country have made incredible progress installing electric charging infrastructure and expanding EV options for families like mine. Since getting my EV, New Mexico has seen federal investments in state from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.  

I am able to charge my car and get around for my day-to-day errands, plus long distance trips, without any problems. I love New Mexico. It has been my home for almost 40 years. I know we can protect our state and future generations by cleaning up the transportation sector together with the Advanced Clean Cars II rule.  

I feel fortunate to experience the joys of an EV and want everyone in New Mexico to have access to an EV and the clean air benefits of EVs. That’s why I volunteer with 350 NM and participate in any EV event I can — everyone should know how great they are! EVs aren’t too expensive — they’re already in New Mexico making a difference. 

The public hearings on the proposed Advance Clean Cars II rule are on Nov. 13-14. Contact [email protected] for more information on how to participate in the hearings. 

Ann McCartney 

Belen