CHEYENNE, Wyo. (TND) — Wyoming lawmakers were considering bucking a national trend of embracing electric vehicles (EVs) by proposing a ban on EV sales by the year 2035, but that proposal has quickly died.
The “Phasing Out New Electric Vehicle Sales by 2035" resolution, sponsored by Sen. Jim Anderson, R-Casper, was apparently a response to other states, like California, banning the sale of gas-powered vehicles by the same year. The resolution, introduced on Friday, sought the banning of EV sales in Wyoming by 2035.
The resolution called electric vehicles "impracticable" in Wyoming, where a "lack of electric vehicle charging infrastructure" and "vast stretches of highway" combine to create a supposedly unfavorable environment for EVs.
In addition, the resolution claimed the batteries used in EVs "contain critical minerals whose domestic supply is limited and at risk for disruption" and "are not easily recyclable or disposable."
The resolution was brought before Wyoming's Senate Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee on Monday, where it faced some debate, but didn't get far.
At Monday's committee meeting, Sen. Anderson admitted the proposal was, essentially, a statement against states looking to ban gas-powered vehicles.
Anderson added that the resolution was meant to support his state's oil and gas industries, which are "huge for Wyoming," according to the lawmaker.
The resolution later died during the committee meeting for lack of a motion, but Anderson reportedly said that he had accomplished his goal of starting a conversation on the topic.