Morris Leader

Christian E. Barranco, an Assemblyman in the New Jersey General Assembly, said he opposes government-imposed mandates on consumer choices, particularly concerning the automotive market. He made this statement at the "Don't Ban Our Cars" rally held on June 18, 2024.

"No government should ever act in absolutes," said E. Barranco. "Mandating what we can or cannot buy in the automotive market is nothing any government should be partaking in. I, for one, will not be partaking in it. It's just not an American idea."

On that day, a bipartisan coalition of union workers, community members, energy producers, and business leaders gathered at the New Jersey State House in Trenton. The event was organized to protest proposed regulations aimed at phasing out sales of gasoline-powered vehicles. Participants voiced concerns that such mandates could threaten jobs and limit consumer choice, according to NJ Assembly GOP.

According to Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), the proposed ban on new gas-powered vehicle sales could render electric vehicles unaffordable for many residents. She also highlighted concerns about whether the state's infrastructure is prepared for a large-scale transition to electric vehicles. Additionally, there are implications for the state's Transportation Trust Fund, which relies on gas tax revenue for highway repairs.

Concerns have been raised regarding the gradual increase in consumer demand for electric vehicles, insufficient charging infrastructure, and potential impacts on local economies. Opponents argue that these mandates could lead to job losses in the gasoline and auto industries and strain the existing energy grid. They also worry about the affordability of electric vehicles; as reported by The News Journal, the average price of a new electric vehicle as of April 2024 was $55,242 compared to $44,989 for a new gas-powered vehicle.

Barranco has served as an assemblyman since 2022 and became Assistant Republican Conference Leader in January 2024. An electrician by trade and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 102 since 2003, he previously served as a councilman in Pompton Lakes Borough from 2017 to 2019 and has been active in various community organizations including the Northern New Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts of America.