Ron DeSantis stands with truckers as he blasts electric vehicle rules in California
Via Desantis campaign

Desantis truckers
The Governor brought his energy independence spiel to the Golden State.

Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the Port of Long Beach where he was flanked by truck drivers as he made the case that California is the “petri dish of leftism” in the country, with “electric mandates for big rigs” serving as an example of that.

The Republican presidential candidate argued against the state’s “diesel truck mandate” for electric vehicles, which he expects to be rolled out nationally. He vowed to “take action as President” against these rules in places like Long Beach where electric vehicle mandates are required.

“If you look at big rigs, this is not something that’s designed to be an electric vehicle,” the Governor said. “All of that EV is going to make all of these trucks more expensive.”

He mocked the “radius of about 100 miles on a single charge” for these vehicles, predicting that the mandate would “interrupt the supply chain.”

The Governor discussed Florida’s own commitment to truck driving, training 3,500 new truck drivers a year in the state.

“We need to make sure that this is a vibrant industry going forward,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis drew contrasts between Florida and California, noting that in the competition between the states’ ports, truck drivers are key.

The Governor also addressed issues like the high costs of groceries and cars, connecting them to “people imposing policies in Washington that leave you to pay the bill,” a pattern that started during the “COVID lockdowns of 2020.”

He promised to “restore the American dream” if elected President, with policies making the country “energy dominant” central to that quest, proposals he introduced earlier this month in Texas.

“Energy dominance will make this country more secure,” DeSantis said. He added that reversing “mandates” for electric vehicles is key.

“The things that go into making these come from Communist China,” DeSantis said, noting that issues beyond “emissions” matter, and spotlighting Chinese use of coal plants to “power their electric grids.”

“The people that are imposing these mandates aren’t honest about the true costs,” DeSantis argued.

Noting California’s own “rolling blackouts,” he predicted that EVs would have a “huge, huge problem” in situations where electricity was out. He stressed his own experience in power restoration to argue for “reliable energy” nationwide.

He also made the case for natural gas as a more reliable form of electricity, not just domestically but also in the “developing world.”

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


10 comments

  • Michael K

    September 29, 2023 at 6:05 pm

    I think Ron and Casey should move next door or downwind from an oil refinery just to prove how safe and beneficial it is to human health and the environment!

    • Silly Wabbit

      September 30, 2023 at 3:52 pm

      Gweat idea!

  • My Take

    September 30, 2023 at 12:53 am

    For many decades vàrious large cities have required locomotives to use electricity within the city. Less complicated than it would be for heavy trucks. But the ĺatter is “dòable” if absòlutely necessary.

  • TJC

    September 30, 2023 at 3:49 pm

    ‘California is the “petri dish of leftism”’ says DeSantis. Read on:
    “Home to the nation’s tech and entertainment centers, California’s economic output is higher than Florida’s. California’s per-person gross domestic product is about $92,200, compared with about $62,400 for Florida.” (Jun 16, 2023, Orlando Sentinel)
    Sounds like a pretty good Petri dish to me.

    • Silly Wabbit

      September 30, 2023 at 3:53 pm

      Won kwazy.

      • TJC

        September 30, 2023 at 3:54 pm

        He is??!!

    • Silly Wabbit

      September 30, 2023 at 3:55 pm

      Cewtified kwazy!

  • My Take

    September 30, 2023 at 4:05 pm

    Listen to the natiònal broadcast of Red Eye Radio every night for several hours of rightwing propaganda specifically targeting truckers.
    Been on for years.

  • Andy

    October 1, 2023 at 6:59 am

    Can’t help myself on this. DeSantis supports driverless vehicles that could place workers on the unemployment line. Pretty sure they will have an electric component to be able to remotely operate them.

  • Rick Whitaker

    October 1, 2023 at 12:09 pm

    once again desantis is telling people what he thinks they want to hear. that’s not a leader, that’s what a beauty pageant contestant does. he is not backing the country and the future which is electric trucks. he could be a leader in this area if he wasn’t such a maga want-a-be

Comments are closed.


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