Garden State Times

Latham Tiver, a state senator representing New Jersey's 8th District, expressed concerns about the implications of mandating a shift from gas-powered to electric vehicles. "Electric vehicles are important," he said, but mandating such a shift "reduces supply, drives up prices, and contributes to rising electricity costs." He made these comments during an interview on April 3.

"Mandates that ignore the market are foolish and expensive," said Tiver. "When dealerships are forced to stop buying gas vehicles to abide by mandates, it lowers the supply of new and used cars and inflates prices. It's bad policy, and it crushes consumers."

According to The Times, the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) rule—adopted by several U.S. states including New Jersey—sets a timeline to phase out the sale of new gas-powered vehicles. It requires all new light-duty vehicles sold by 2035 to be zero-emission. The regulation mandates annual increases in electric vehicle sales, forcing automakers and dealerships to adjust inventory and sales strategies. Similar to the UK's zero-emission vehicle policy, these mandates may affect vehicle prices and availability as the industry adapts to compliance targets and production costs.

NJ Spotlight News reports that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved an auction in March 2025 expected to raise electricity bills by about $25 per month for typical residential customers starting June 1. As the state implements ACCII mandates to increase electric vehicle adoption, added demand from home and public EV charging could strain the power grid—especially as older fossil fuel and nuclear plants are phased out. This shift toward electrification raises concerns about whether the energy infrastructure is ready to handle the growing load.

EV Magazine notes that the ACCII mandate includes penalties for automakers failing to meet required percentages of zero-emission vehicle sales, with potential fines reaching up to $20,000 per non-compliant vehicle in certain jurisdictions. These penalties aim to accelerate industry alignment with environmental targets but may prompt changes in vehicle offerings, pricing strategies, and dealership operations to avoid non-compliance. Manufacturers navigating ACCII regulations must balance regulatory pressure with consumer demand and existing infrastructure limitations.

Tiver has represented New Jersey’s 8th Legislative District since January 9, 2024. Before joining the State Senate, he served as a Southampton Township Committeeman and Burlington County Commissioner, focusing on cutting property taxes, preserving farmland, upgrading 911 systems, and improving school security. He also works as a Business Representative for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, advocating for infrastructure projects that boost job creation and economic growth.