DeSantis Vetoes Bill Promoting Electric Vehicles in Government Fleets

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just said no to a bill aimed at incentivizing the government's purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) in the state.

Senate Bill 284 aimed to promote the adoption of EVs in state and local government fleets. The bill proposed financial assistance and streamlined procurement processes as incentives for the transition to EVs.

Based on a study conducted by Consumer Reports, EVs were found to have higher upfront costs but lower long-term expenses due to reduced maintenance and fuel costs.

The bill garnered bipartisan support in the Florida legislature and received overwhelming approval, with a vote of 115-1 in the House and 38-0 in the Senate. It successfully passed three Senate committees with unanimous votes, including the support of Senator Travis Hutson, who represents Flagler County, and House Speaker Paul Renner, also representing Flagler County, both of whom are Republicans.

SB 284 aimed to guide decision-makers in purchasing government vehicles by considering the "lowest lifetime ownership costs," which encompassed fuel and maintenance expenses. Additionally, the bill mandated the Department of Management Services to provide recommendations to state agencies regarding the procurement of electric vehicles, natural gas-fueled vehicles, and other renewable energy-powered vehicles. The legislation also encouraged the use of blended fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, as well as natural gas, when purchasing vehicles with internal combustion engines, excluding emergency vehicles.

Importantly, the bill did not entail any additional spending by the state or local governments. On the contrary, it aimed to generate economic opportunities within the private sector. However, despite its popularity and potential benefits, SB 284 was vetoed by the governor. Critics argue that the bill's wide support in the legislature demonstrated its positive economic impact and potential for fostering a greener environment in Florida by encouraging corporate investment in renewable vehicles.

This veto decision came despite a recent report suggesting that considering the total cost of ownership in vehicle procurement decisions, a practice already adopted by other states, could save Florida nearly $280 million.