Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) announced that Michigan's entire vehicle fleet will become electric.
The announcement is the latest of several recent ambitious moves to transfer Michigan to renewable energy, an effort met with skepticism by Republicans. Whitmer's latest executive order seeks to have all light government vehicles have zero emissions by 2033 and all heavy vehicles by 2040, according to Fox News.
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"Michigan automakers are on the cutting-edge of the world’s switch to zero-emission vehicles, and with today’s executive directive to transition our state-owned fleet by 2040, the state of Michigan is leading by example," Whitmer said in a statement obtained by the outlet.
"With today’s executive directive, I am directing state agencies to begin the process of converting vehicles owned and operated by the state to ZEVs by 2033 for light-duty vehicles and 2040 for medium and heavy-duty vehicles," she added. "Getting this done will help drive demand of Michigan-made electric vehicles, lower gas and maintenance costs for the state since ZEVs cost far less to fuel and maintain, and reduce air and noise pollution in our communities."
The Washington Examiner reached out to Whitmer's office for further comment.
The United Auto Workers union celebrated the measure and urged the government to buy union-made vehicles.
"The UAW applauds the state of Michigan for showing that the electric vehicle transition doesn’t have to be a race to the bottom," UAW President Shawn Fain said Tuesday, Fox News reported. "We encourage the state to purchase union-made EVs for all state vehicles, giving America’s autoworkers their fair share of this historic moment for the American auto industry."
The executive order mirrors legislation signed into law by Whitmer last week, which seeks to make Michigan run entirely on "clean" energy by 2024. The measure was heavily denounced by Republicans.
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“This is a dark day for hardworking Michigan families, farmers, and small business owners," state Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt said in a statement. "While the people of Michigan are still struggling with higher costs, Lansing Democrats are applauding the imposition of far-left, unworkable energy mandates that will further increase energy costs and make Michigan energy less reliable."
“Michigan families need and deserve an ‘all of the above’ approach that focuses on ensuring energy is affordable and reliable, rather than imposing a progressive, partisan pipedream that has consistently failed. Instead, Democrats chose to go it alone and rushed a flawed, irresponsible overhaul that focuses on banning natural gas and forcing wind and solar farms on locals to appease environmental extremists," he added.