Nisei Farmers League strongly opposes the
proposed CARB Advanced Clean Cars II Regulations. The proposed 2035
target date for 100-percent of light-duty vehicle sales to be zero
emission vehicles (ZEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV)
puts California’s food security at risk. Agricultural workers
need affordable, reliable cars to get themselves to and from the
job site in rural areas. Many used ZEV are currently selling above
their original list price. Will the used ZEV market be at a price
that is affordable to California farm workers? For those used ZEV
and PHEV that are affordable, will they be reliable or require
expensive repairs such as a new battery. Current ZEV and PHEV are
mainly owned by white collar workers, will they withstand the dirt
roads and neglected roads that California farmworkers drive to
reach job sites?
Further, the plan puts
California’s food security at risk by asking farmers and
farmworkers to rely on a grid that is prone to blackouts and power
outages. The plan disproportionally impacts rural communities who
lack the infrastructure of charging stations. It also
disproportionally impacts migrant farm workers because they may
travel out of state to communities that lack charging
stations.
This plan creates inequities because it
will increase costs for utilities, food and other necessities. The
last thing farmers and farmworkers need are new energy rules and
unrealistic mandates that do not fit with our rural communities. We
strongly urge you to reconsider this proposal.
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