Resolution regarding electric vehicles

69th Legislature 2025 HJ 12.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 12
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12
2 INTRODUCED BY R. GREGG, G. OVERSTREET, C. COCHRAN, M. THIEL, T. MILLETT, E. TILLEMAN, S.
3 GIST, C. HINKLE, C. SPRUNGER, S. FITZPATRICK, G. OBLANDER, K. ZOLNIKOV, B. MITCHELL, G.
4 PARRY
5
6 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
7 MONTANA REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS REMOVE ANY REQUIREMENTS OR
8 OBLIGATIONS TO PURCHASE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
9
10 WHEREAS, in 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order establishing an Electric Vehicle
11 mandate for new passenger cars and light trucks; and
12 WHEREAS, Montanans use and rely on gas-powered vehicles for personal, business, and recreational
13 purposes; and
14 WHEREAS, Montana is considered a frontier state due to the largely rural nature of Montana towns
15 and other lands; and
16 WHEREAS, the average range of an Electric Vehicle falls between 110 and 300 miles; and
17 WHEREAS, current availability of electric charging stations is intermittent across the state of Montana.
18 Those electric charging stations that are available are commonly within city limits or urban areas.
19 Consequently, Montanans may be prevented from traveling significant distances in an expeditious manner
20 around Montana in an Electric Vehicle; and
21 WHEREAS, the surface and quality of Montana's backroads and gravel roads often requires vehicles
22 with four-wheel drive, hydraulic lift, or other forms of all-terrain capability. At present, the availability of Electric
23 Vehicles with all-terrain capacities is prohibitive; and
24 WHEREAS, the payload or hauling capacity of Electric Vehicles is often lower than their gas-powered
25 counterparts due to the additional weight of the charging and battery systems; and
26 WHEREAS, Montana experiences harsh weather conditions, which often include times of extreme cold;
27 and
28 WHEREAS, Electric Vehicles can lose up to 40% of their range in cold weather; and
69th Legislature 2025 HJ 12.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 12
1 WHEREAS, Electric Vehicles may be unsuitable and unusable in Montana; and
2 WHEREAS, requiring Montanans to purchase Electric Vehicles may prevent Montanans from traveling,
3 hauling and moving goods, obtaining goods and services, conducting business, and participating in personal
4 and recreational activities; and
5 WHEREAS, requiring the purchase of Electric Vehicles may interfere with government services and
6 may increase costs for local government services and state government services; and
7 WHEREAS, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to eliminate the Electric
8 Vehicle mandate and to promote true customer choice.
9
10 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
11 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
12 (1) That the 69th Legislature of the State of Montana thanks President Donald Trump for his
13 actions to eliminate the Electric Vehicle mandate.
14 (2) That the 69th Legislature of the State of Montana believes Montanans should have the
15 freedom to decide whether to purchase an Electric Vehicle or a gas-powered vehicle.
16 (3) That the 69th Legislature of the State of Montana asks the United States Congress to eliminate
17 all Electric Vehicle mandates and allow the people of Montana to purchase the type of vehicle that best fits their
18 needs and uses.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send a copy of this resolution to the
20 President of the United States, to the President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the United
21 States House of Representatives, and to each member of the Montana Congressional Delegation.
22 - END -