Over the last three years Caltrans has received over half a billion dollars of taxpayer funds to convert its vehicles into “the greenest fleet in the nation.” This year, the agency is seeking another $25 million to continue its buildout of charging stations.

A recent Caltrans report reveals that it has spent the lions’ share of funding on 852 Tesla’s and Rivians. Nice vehicles, but according to the report, “Electric vehicles are on average 132.82 percent more expensive than their equivalent internal combustion engine vehicle counterparts.” Are vehicles costing twice as much for the same or less functionality worth it? (The report notes that ZEVs have limited range and face charging time delays, leading Caltrans to estimate that they will need 2 to 3 vehicles for every 1 diesel counterpart to do the same amount of work). 

The report also highlighted that over the past 3 years, installing a charging unit cost $116,146 and took 1.9 years to finish, and Caltrans estimates future projects will each cost $210,231 and take up to 3 years to complete. 

The California Legislature and CARB should completely rethink these expensive mandates, especially when the state’s highway system ranks 49th or 50th (second worst) in the nation for overall cost-effectiveness and condition. According to the 2025 ASCE report, California roads received a ‘D’ grade, and bridges received a ‘C-‘. 

And it’s not just the potholes throughout the state that plague California, the other hole is California’s massive budget deficit. Citizens are unlikely to be sympathetic to calls for higher taxes when they learn that Caltrans spent over $1 million on just one hydrogen vehicle.

This past Friday marked the end of a 15-day comment period on the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) regulations that essentially mandate all state and local governments to convert completely to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs). The smart thing to do would be to completely repeal these regulations to accommodate higher priority transportation projects or to reduce stress on the state budget. But since repeal is unlikely to gain favor with California’s political leadership, serious consideration should be given to some sort of temporary suspension. 

While the state continues its heavy handed mandates, the federal government has withdrawn the federal waiver upon which CARB was relying to force private employers in California to purchase only ZEVs. But CARB is pursuing a back-door strategy by extending the mandate to private fleets that contract with state and local governments. 

For example, the EV mandate would be imposed on a company like Waste Management which pays the local government a franchise fee for the exclusive right to provide garbage collection services to all the residents.

According to the report, the vehicles required for these services would require 3 vehicles for every 1 diesel counterpart. This is on top of the vehicles costing more than double or around $726,490 each with an average delivery time of 689 days. In addition, “To meet service expectations without delays or reduced route completion, a two to three vehicle rotation is required: one (1) sweeper in active service, one (1) charging, and/or one (1) standing by to fill in as needed; this depends on operations for a 12-hour shift or a 24-hour shift.” Local governments would need at least double the vehicles at double the price. 

Let’s be clear. EVs have a future, particularly here in California where they are already ubiquitous. For some families and some businesses, they make economic sense. But that is more the exception than the rule. Both the market and the technology still have a long way to go. Yet CARB persists in its belief that the mandates will force both to magically catch up. 

That is costly wishful thinking. 

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.