Former President Donald Trump expressed that he felt compelled to back electric vehicles following an "endorsement" from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Despite this, Trump proceeded to criticize the EV industry extensively.
Elon Musk's advocacy for electric vehicles
Elon Musk has been a longstanding advocate for the transition to electric vehicles. Through his company, Tesla, Musk has been at the forefront of developing the industry, garnering praise from the environmentally conscious left. However, Musk's recent foray into conservative politics, notably championing free speech, has shifted the narrative.
Political alignment and support
Publicly endorsing Trump post an assassination attempt, Musk has refuted claims of committing a $45 million donation to a pro-Trump super PAC. At a rally in Georgia, Trump shared his endorsement for electric cars, attributing it to Musk's support. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining access to gas-powered vehicles within the automotive landscape.
Opposition to Biden administration's electric vehicle policies
Trump has consistently criticized the Biden administration's electric vehicle regulations, particularly the target of achieving half of all new vehicle sales being electric by 2030. This opposition extends to the regulatory challenges faced by gas-powered cars in meeting EPA standards.
Concerns about EV charger installation costs
Trump has raised concerns about the expenses associated with installing EV charging stations nationwide. He has provided varying estimates ranging from $5 trillion to $12 trillion, with claims of government inefficiencies in building charging infrastructure. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 allocated $7.5 billion towards funding thousands of electric vehicle chargers across the country.
Despite these efforts, reports indicate that only a limited number of charging stations have been established to date, raising questions about the efficiency and utilization of federal funds in advancing EV infrastructure.
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By: kniemeyer@insider.com (Kenneth Niemeyer)
Title: Trump reluctantly supports electric vehicles after Elon Musk endorses him
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/trump-electric-vehicles-elon-musk-endorsement-2024-8
Published Date: Sun, 04 Aug 2024 18:35:10 +0000
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