i like some EVs but there shouldn't be an EV mandate

EVs are more carbon friendly...as long as you don't account for all carbon associated with it's production, it's batteries, their battery replacements and their repair and depreciation issues that lead to more frequent car replacements and write-offs..

It's like taking a taxi instead of driving to keep my pollution levels down

Eventually over time and miles driven, the gas car does accumulate a usage footprint larger than the EV's manufacturing footprint.

In a family situation I would have an electric sedan or crossover for short drives(work, school, supermarket, etc) and a combustion engine SUV or minivan for longer trips, quicker refueling, and more passenger/cargo room. Even that can become more efficient with diesel or hybrid power.

When California made the "1 EV model" mandate, Subaru and Toyota made EVs that didn't have a lot of range and were also kind of ugly in customer eyes. It hurts manufacturers who prefer gas and hybrid vehicles and don't have EV expertise.