Former President Donald Trump has intensified his attacks on the Biden administration’s policies promoting electric vehicles (EVs), as the current administration pushes new auto emissions standards that bolster the transition toward electrification. Trump claims President Biden’s EV agenda will result in a “blood bath” for the auto industry and the broader economy if Biden is reelected.
Trump’s rhetoric has targeted EVs across campaign trails, notably in Michigan, a crucial swing state and automotive hub, where he has sought to amplify autoworker concerns about job losses in the industry. This political maneuver is in line with his historical pattern of opposing EVs with often exaggerated or false claims. For instance, Trump erroneously stated that EVs could eliminate 40 percent of auto industry jobs and that they have a mere 15 minutes of drive time before needing a charge.
These recent pronouncements dovetail with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule that envisions a significant move towards EVs in the coming years. Under the new rule, automakers must ensure that by 2032, 56% of light-duty car sales are battery electric and another 13% are hybrid, aiming for nearly 70% of new cars to be zero-emissions or low-emissions. The Biden administration seeks EVs to represent half of new car sales by 2030.
The Trump campaign has been vociferous in its condemnation of these new regulations. “Joe Biden’s extreme electric vehicle mandate will force Americans to buy ultra-expensive cars they do not want and cannot afford while destroying the U.S. auto industry in the process,” Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital. Trump promises to reverse these mandates on his first day in office, should he win the election.
While Trump harnesses this issue as a political cudgel in the Republican primary, strategists like Mike Murphy suggest that the polarization around EVs, propelled by government mandates, may turn off swing voters, who may otherwise support local EV investments. Republican political consultant Keith Naughton points out that the “bad news about EVs over the winter,” including less adoption and slumping demand, might amplify Trump’s message among swing voters in the affected states.
In contrast, Biden’s policies, including the new EPA rule, are celebrated by the administration and environmentalists as a triumph for climate action. The standards are projected to avoid over 7 billion tons of carbon emissions and provide significant public health benefits and fuel savings. However, this progress is met with resistance from industry groups and Republican lawmakers who assert the regulations are unrealistic and will increase reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals.
Relevant articles:
– Trump amps up attacks on electric vehicles, a major Biden priority
– Biden hits accelerator on car rule as foes plot roadblocks, E&E News by POLITICO, Wed, 20 Mar 2024 17:37:00 GMT
– Trump campaign responds in force after Biden cracks down on gas cars, vows ‘Day One’ reversal, Fox News, Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:47:00 GMT
– Trump warns of ‘bloodbath’ for auto industry and country if he loses the election, CNN, Sun, 17 Mar 2024 04:12:00 GMT