In a surprising pivot, Donald Trump endorsed electric vehicles (EVs), influenced by Elon Musk's support for his presidential campaign. Despite his endorsement, Trump remains critical of EVs, seeing them as suitable only for a few Americans.
The Guardian reported that during a rally in Atlanta, Georgia, Donald Trump articulated a change in his stance towards electric vehicles.
Historically skeptical, Trump now supports EVs, attributing his shift to a strong endorsement from Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of Twitter/X. Trump stated, "I’m for electric cars, I have to be because Elon endorsed me very strongly."
Trump explained his newfound support as somewhat obligatory. "So I have no choice," he declared, adding that electric vehicles were appropriate for a "small slice" of the population. He emphasized the need for variety in the automotive market, saying, "you want every type of car imaginable" to be available.
Despite endorsing EVs, Trump criticized the Biden administration's efforts to expand electric vehicle infrastructure.
He claimed that establishing a nationwide network of EV chargers would cost $9 trillion—a figure that is contested by industry experts.
The Biden administration has set a goal to construct 500,000 electric chargers to support the growing number of electric vehicles, which is still far from the estimated 28 million chargers needed to accommodate widespread EV adoption.
Elon Musk's political support appears to have a significant influence on Trump's policy positions.
While Musk has not committed a specific donation amount, his endorsement is seen as a key factor in Trump's public acknowledgment of electric vehicles.
Trump also voiced concerns about the performance of electric vehicles, particularly their effectiveness in cold weather and limitations regarding range. These claims have been widely debunked by environmental advocates and industry experts who highlight the advancements in EV technology.
Looking forward, Trump has proposed to "immediately terminate Joe Biden’s insane electric vehicle mandate" if re-elected.
However, such a mandate does not currently exist. This statement aligns with several of Trump's previous claims, which often misrepresent the actual state of EV policies and development.
Trump also targeted vehicles manufactured outside the U.S., specifically those made in Mexico. "You’re not going to be able to sell those cars," he stated, reflecting his ongoing stance on encouraging domestic manufacturing and industry.
Last year, over 1 million electric cars were sold in the U.S., and sales figures are expected to rise further this year. The increase in EV sales reflects a growing consumer shift towards more sustainable and efficient transportation options.
Environmental advocates continue to push for a rapid transition from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric ones.
They argue that this shift is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse commented on the inevitable transition, noting, "The writing is on the wall: around the world, the future of personal transportation is electric, independent of whatever the United States decides to do."
He further praised electric vehicles for their performance benefits. "They’re quieter, faster, and more fun to drive. They don’t have tailpipe emissions stinking up highways and neighborhoods. Repair and maintenance costs are nearly nonexistent," Whitehouse explained.
