Chris Herb, president of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, spoke about the collateral effect of banning gas-powered vehicles.

 Chris Herb, president of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, spoke about the collateral effect of banning gas-powered vehicles.

“Our motor fuel members own, operate and distribute fuel to approximately 1,000 retail locations around the state,” he said. “Our members own property in virtually every municipality, pay local and state taxes, employ thousands of people and play a vital role in Connecticut’s economy.”

He said the proposal “ignores the hundreds of mom-and-pop businesses that sell diesel and gasoline.”

Steven Lewis of South Windsor said EVs are “so much more efficient at turning energy into motion vs. combustion engine vehicles. Combustion cars lose 80% of their energy to inefficiency, whereas EVs only lose 11% of their energy. EVs emit no harmful gases that accelerate climate change and harm public health. They require little maintenance and are much more fun and safe to drive.”

Kim Libero of Cornwall, an earth scientist, urged, “Do not follow that communist cesspool California. Leave things to the free market. Remember consumers should have choice. Our legislature has been trending away from them. I oppose the mandate.”