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Delegate Stein proposes two-year pause on manufacturer fines tied to Advanced Clean Cars/Trucks rules
Summary
Delegate Dana Stein sought temporary relief for manufacturers from penalties under Advanced Clean Cars 2 and Advanced Clean Trucks, saying penalties could reduce vehicle availability in Maryland and that infrastructure gaps justify a short delay in fines for model years 2027 and 2028.
Delegate Dana Stein told the committee he supports electric vehicles but introduced House Bill 15-56 to suspend fines on manufacturers under the Advanced Clean Cars 2 (ACC2) and Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) programs for two model years (2027 and 2028). Stein said the rule changes would not remove Maryland from the standards but would eliminate the immediate threat of financial penalties while the market and charging infrastructure mature.
Stein and other witnesses argued manufacturers face near-term compliance risks that could prompt them to reduce the number of internal-combustion vehicles shipped to Maryland dealers to avoid future penalties—resulting in fewer vehicle choices for Maryland buyers without increasing the number of EVs actually sold. Stein cited early inventory shifts already seen in New York and described limited credit availability and the practical difficulty that most manufacturers will not be in a position to overcomply in a single state.
The bill would not rescind ACC2 or ACT targets; it would postpone penalties while the state continues infrastructure expansion and market development. Proponents said the pause could preserve dealer inventories and consumer choice while longer-term charging solutions for light and heavy vehicles are deployed. Committee members questioned the broader policy trade-offs between encouraging rapid EV adoption and ensuring consumer access to vehicles and dealer viability.
No formal committee action was taken during the hearing. Sponsors said they would continue to work with automakers, dealers and state agencies to refine language and weigh options for credit pooling and other compliance mechanisms.
