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Regional Electric Vehicle Plan comes under fire from the Idaho Freedom Foundation

Posted at 10:24 PM, Oct 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-07 00:24:06-04

Getting from point A to point B for electric car drivers can be tough if you don't know where you'll be able to charge up next. That's why seven western governors have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a Regional Electric Vehicle Plan. According to the Associated Press, state leaders will coordinate charging station locations and create voluntary minimum standards for station operations and management.

But not everyone is impressed, the president of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a free market public policy research organization, calling it dumb in an article written on their website saying the car companies should get the job done themselves. 

"You're going to have the industry slowing down in its development of charging station like this. They're going to be second-guessing whether they should be doing investing themselves or if the government should be doing it for them," said Wayne Hoffman President of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. 

In a response to the criticism a statement from governor's otter's office reads: 

"Ignoring the advance of technology is never wise. That's why the leaders of seven western states, including Idaho, are proactively addressing what undoubtedly will be an increasing number of our citizens demanding these kinds of services. As our neighboring states are developing charging infrastructure it is only prudent for Idaho to be part of that coordination and discussion."

The Idaho Freedom Foundation maintains the development of the technology is happening fine without the government and they should stay out of the marketplace.

"This will happen on its own and it will happen faster and more efficiently then if the government gets involved," said Hoffman.

As of right now, there is just an agreement with the governors and no actions have been taken. according to the Associated Press, more than 20,000 thousand electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are used on roads in western states.