Poll: Majority of Minnesota Voters Don’t Support Eliminating the Sale of New Gas- and Diesel-Powered Cars and Trucks
WASHINGTON, DC — The Minnesota Legislature debated instituting a fuels policy that would eventually ban liquid fuels in the state, barring the sale of new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles and successfully passed a bill that would create a $2500 tax credit for Minnesotans who purchase an electric vehicle, or EV. With this in mind, the Centrist Democrats of America (CDA) released a poll on Minnesotans’ attitudes about EVs and the state’s transportation future.
The key findings:
63% of Minnesota voters oppose limiting the number of gas vehicles sold in the state.
A majority of Minnesota voters are very concerned about climate change and its effects. Democrats are most likely to be very concerned.
44% of Minnesota voters strongly agree EVs are too expensive and designed for wealthy drivers.
Only 9% of Minnesota voters strongly support restricting the sale of gas-and diesel-powered vehicles and then ban the sales of gas and diesel vehicles within the next 10 years or so
Just 4% of Minnesota voters say more funding for increasing the number of electric vehicles should be the top funding priority.
Only 14% of Minnesota voters support doing whatever we can to get as many electric vehicles on the road as quickly as possible in Minnesota, including the state subsidizing the costs of the cars, phasing out liquid fuels and banning the sale of new gas and diesel vehicles.
“If Democrats want to be the Party for the working-class Americans, we can’t force low-income and middle-class families to buy expensive EVs,” said CDA Board Member XXX XXX. He added: “The polling is clear that Democrats in Minnesota are smart to be supportive of government policies that sensibly promote EVs. But calling for bans on the sale of new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles is not popular with voters.”
The poll also found that 68 percent of Minnesotans “strongly agree” that banning liquid fuels and mandating that people purchase expensive EVs could create unfair financial hardships for people. Also, that 53 percent of Minnesotans “strongly agree” that no other state is seeking a full ban on sales of liquid fuels. And, Minnesota’s policy is too extreme and leaves no room in the market for our home-grown fuels—Minnesota ethanol and biodiesel—to contribute to cleaner transportation.
Other topline findings from the survey:
When asked: “How much more would you be willing to spend personally every year to speed up the adoption of electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging throughout Minnesota?
61% said less than $10
14% said $100-$500
61% of respondents said Minnesota should find other ways to encourage EV adoption. Phasing out liquid fuels and forcing everyone to buy a costly EV is not fair to Minnesotans, especially people who cannot afford an EV.
Only 18% of respondents said Minnesota needs to do whatever it can to reduce our fossil fuel dependence.
About the poll:
600 interviews among voters in Minnesota were conducted from March 31 – April 6, 2023. Interviews were conducted using an online survey. Results were weighted to ensure proportional response.The comparative margin of error for results is ±4.0% at the 95% confidence level. This number is higher for subgroups
Link to poll:
Click here or link: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ffced5a6c82fc0f469b81ea/t/6452d72076291246762bedf3/1683150625142/CDA+MN+POLL+.pdf
About Centrist Democrats of America:
Centrist Democrats of America (CDA) is a group dedicated to the principle that Democrats are most effective when they lead from the political center. CDA promotes respectful dialogue, sensible laws, fiscal responsibility, consumer protections, and regulations that appeal to the broadest portion of the American people. CDA advocates for common sense public policies that advance the interests of the nation and put the wellbeing of the American people ahead of politics, ideologies, and party affiliation.