OPINION: Government hiding data showing EV mandates disproportionately burden lower-Income families

Transparency is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. Without it, as the saying goes, democracy dies in darkness.

Government transparency ensures that public officials are honest, policies are debated fairly, and the data driving those decisions is reliable and accurate. Yet recent events in New Mexico expose a troubling erosion of these democratic principles, as seen through arbitrary mandates and government efforts to obscure the truth.

The Southwest Public Policy Institute has been in a legal battle against the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department for nearly two years. Now, the case is moving toward trial.

At issue is a simple request: SPPI requested access to a database of registered vehicles in the state, which should be publicly available under the Inspection of Public Records Act. We sought this data to assess the actual costs and impacts of the state’s electric vehicle mandates, particularly whether they disproportionately burden lower-income families while primarily benefiting the wealthy.

However, instead of complying with the law, NMTRD and the Motor Vehicle Division responded with a fabricated document containing absurd data aggregates, reporting that at least one vehicle has 1,000 engine cylinders — a mechanical impossibility.

This deception is concerning because it prevents honest debate about public policy.

The issue is compounded by recent construction code updates mandating infrastructure for EV charging stations in new homes. While these measures may sound like progress, they come with significant costs that consumers will incur. This creates a situation where only the wealthy can absorb the additional costs, leaving working-class families struggling to keep up.

New Mexico also faces a broader and more immediate consequence of government overreach. Early in 2024, state regulators upheld new EV mandates requiring that 43% of all new passenger vehicles shipped to New Mexico dealerships by 2026 must be zero-emission vehicles, with the percentage rising to 80% by 2032.

These mandates have sparked concerns across the state, particularly in rural and low-income communities. Critics argue these rules could be more practical, especially in areas needing more charging infrastructure. Auto dealers and even Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren have warned that the mandates will further exacerbate affordability issues for New Mexicans struggling to make ends meet.

The lack of public input and transparency in implementing these mandates worsens the situation. The Construction Industries Commission adopted these sweeping changes with minimal public discussion, sidestepping the democratic processes that should be in place to ensure that policy decisions reflect the needs of all New Mexicans. This happens when government transparency is eroded: decisions that affect everyone are made behind closed doors without accountability and the data needed to challenge those decisions.

Our legal battle against NMTRD is not just about accessing public records; it’s about demanding that the government operates with honesty, transparency, and integrity.

When agencies fabricate data to justify their actions, they undermine public trust and weaken the very foundation of our democracy. If we can’t rely on our government to provide accurate information, how can we have meaningful discussions about what’s best for our communities? How can citizens engage in the democratic process if those in power mislead them?

The public deserves to know the truth about the policies that affect their lives. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and SPPI will continue to push for transparency and accountability in government.

Ultimately, this isn’t just about a single dataset or one agency’s failure to comply with the law. It’s about the principles that underlie our democracy: honesty, integrity, and a government that serves the people. Americans deserve nothing less.

Patrick M. Brenner is president of the Southwest Public Policy Institute, a nonprofit research institute in the American Southwest dedicated to promoting better living through better policy.