Bay State News

John Gaskey, a state representative in the Massachusetts House, expressed concerns about electric vehicle mandates. He cited issues such as inadequate infrastructure, rising utility costs, safety risks, and environmental challenges related to battery production and replacement. This statement was made during an interview on March 21.

"People cannot afford to pay their bills. EVs are expensive and dangerous," said Gaskey. "Battery fires are extremely dangerous and more common than most are willing to admit. It's a disgusting cycle of toxic chemicals exposing our people and our environment to disease and health hazards."

According to Mass.gov, Massachusetts had approximately 5,300 public electric vehicle charging ports as of 2023. The state estimates it will require over 300,000 charging stations by 2030 to meet demand under the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is planning to expand infrastructure through both public and private partnerships.

Electric vehicles generally have a higher upfront cost compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. Massachusetts offers rebates of up to $3,500 through the MOR-EV program to help mitigate these costs. Despite these incentives, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center reports that affordability remains a significant challenge for many residents.

In response to increasing electric vehicle adoption, the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy introduced updated training in 2023 to address the risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires in electric vehicles. According to Mass.gov, these fires behave differently from those involving gasoline vehicles and may require specialized response techniques. The Department of Fire Services is providing this training statewide.

Gaskey, a veteran with 23 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard who was raised in El Paso, Texas, has committed himself to ending Massachusetts' sanctuary status. He also aims to restore cooperation between law enforcement and federal authorities and ensure that shelters prioritize veterans and legal residents.