Andy Guelcher, owner and operator of Mohawk Chevrolet, expressed concerns over New York’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule, which mandates that 35% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2025. He said that this regulation would negatively impact consumers by increasing prices and reducing the availability of gas-powered cars. Guelcher made these remarks in an op-ed published on February 10.
“As soon as a dealership orders a 2026 model-year vehicle, typically beginning in mid-February, the new 35% requirement kicks in,” said Guelcher. “For every three new cars a dealer orders, one will need to be electric. For smaller dealers, the outlook is grim. A small dealer outside of Lake Placid, for example, might sell between one and three zero-emission vehicles per month. New York must pump the brakes on ACC II.”
In December 2022, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation adopted the ACC II regulation with a goal of achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. The regulation stipulates that by 2026, 35% of new passenger cars and trucks sold in the state must be zero-emission vehicles.
According to a study conducted in 2024 by J.D. Power, only 24% of new-vehicle shoppers are “very likely” to consider purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), down from 26% the previous year. This decline indicates ongoing consumer hesitancy toward EV adoption due to factors such as cost, charging infrastructure, and range anxiety. The study underscores the disparity between regulatory targets and consumer readiness.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that New York currently has approximately 15,623 public electric vehicle charging ports. While this number represents growth, it remains inadequate to support the anticipated increase in EVs required by the ACC II mandate. The limited charging infrastructure presents a challenge for widespread EV adoption, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Guelcher also serves as president of Mohawk Chevrolet, a dealership based in Ballston Spa, New York. With significant experience in the automotive industry, he has been actively engaged in discussions about vehicle sales regulations and their effects on local businesses and consumers.
