Maryland rightly delayed clean cars mandates

On April 4, Gov. Wes Moore issued an executive order directing the Maryland Department of the Environment to exercise enforcement discretion regarding penalties for automakers not meeting the state’s electric vehicle (EV) sales targets for model years 2027 and 2028. This action effectively delays penalties associated with Maryland’s adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) and Clean Trucks programs. The decision responds to significant concerns from auto dealers, manufacturers and the Maryland Freedom Caucus about the unworkable timeline and potential economic impacts, aiming to provide additional time for compliance.

The ACC II program mandates that by 2027, 43% of all new passenger vehicles sold in the state must be zero-emission vehicles. The number grows to 51% in model year 2028, eventually reaching 100% by the 2035 model year. Maryland has also adopted a similar California rule for larger vehicles such as trucks.

The Maryland Freedom Caucus has repeatedly called these initiatives unworkable and asked to repeal these devastating mandates. While there has not been a total repeal, we were glad to see the governor agreed with us and delayed the enforcement of these initiatives for two years.

Cleaner air is always appealing, but rushing into sweeping regulatory shifts that will have little long-term effect would be counterproductive. Instead of hastily pushing forward with policies that would harm Maryland’s economy without delivering real results, it makes sense to delay the initiatives by two years, allowing time to assess their impacts and adopt a more practical, data-driven approach.

Let’s be clear: I support a clean environment and clean air. Human activities contribute to carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases. Globally, human activities are responsible for roughly 36 to 40 billion metric tons of CO2 emissions annually. However, the natural world — wildfires, volcanic activity and even plant respiration — contributes far more CO2 to the atmosphere.

For every 36 billion metric tons of CO2 emitted by human activities, natural processes release 650 to 750 billion metric tons annually.

Wildfires are a significant contributor to this. On average, they emit between 2 and 4 billion metric tons of CO2 annually. The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County in early 2025 emitted over 3.6 million metric tons of CO2. Natural emissions far outpace human-caused emissions, and no amount of policy changes in Maryland will eliminate that fact.

This natural reality should not be ignored as we race forward with policies like Maryland’s Advanced Clean Cars and Clean Trucks initiatives. While cleaner vehicles are beneficial, they represent only a small portion of total CO2 emissions. The emphasis on vehicle emissions, no matter how much we reduce them, will always be dwarfed by the CO2 released from natural sources.

Furthermore, rushing into these initiatives without fully understanding their impact is short-sighted. In a state like Maryland, home to many small businesses, truck drivers and manufacturers, the economic consequences of this policy will be severe. Unworkable emissions standards will inevitably raise costs for businesses, increase consumer prices and lead to job losses in key industries reliant on vehicles. The delay gives Maryland the opportunity to rethink its strategy, ensuring that the regulations do not unfairly burden people already struggling with inflation and an uncertain economy.

Let’s also consider the effectiveness of these policies in isolation. Even if Maryland meets its ambitious targets for reducing vehicle emissions, it won’t be enough to counteract the overwhelming volume of CO2 being released by the natural world. Natural sources like wildfires and volcanic eruptions emit far more CO2 than human-related activities. Even if Maryland cuts its vehicle emissions by 30%, it will hardly make a dent in global atmospheric CO2 levels compared with ongoing natural emissions.

Delaying the implementation of the Advanced Clean Cars and Clean Trucks initiatives for two years allows Maryland to reassess the policy with a clearer, more level-headed approach.

The state can take time to study the broader landscape, including how natural emissions are impacting CO2 levels and how emerging technologies might provide better, more cost-effective results. This delay gives businesses and consumers the breathing room they need to adapt to changes without unnecessary disruption to Maryland’s economy.

Environmental policy should strike a balance between environmental goals and economic realities, ensuring solutions are both effective and practical. By pausing these mandates, Maryland should explore alternatives like wildfire prevention to tackle CO2 emissions. In addition to wildfire prevention, we should work to preserve additional forests, wetlands and grasslands that naturally sequester carbon. Other strategies to explore include boosting local food production to cut waste and streamlining supply chains for better efficiency and recycling.

Moreover, delaying the policy allows for more input from local industries and communities. The last thing we want is to enact a policy that disproportionately affects the working class or small businesses already facing tough economic conditions. A delay ensures a more inclusive process and a more effective solution.

We must approach this issue with pragmatism and foresight. Maryland’s urgency to implement the Advanced Clean Cars and Clean Trucks initiatives is misplaced. We must recognize that natural sources of CO2 emissions far outstrip human-related emissions and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

This delay is about ensuring that the state’s policies are realistic, practical and truly make a difference.

Del. Ryan Nawrocki ([e-mail]) is a Republican representing District 7A in Baltimore County.