An executive order has been issued by Donald Trump aiming to dismantle what he refers to as “the electric vehicle mandate” set by former President Joe Biden.
This directive aligns with Trump’s campaign commitments to reverse what he terms a “preposterous” emphasis on electric vehicles (EVs) by Biden and the Democratic Party.
Should these orders and anticipated actions from a potential second Trump administration proceed, the U.S. may experience a slowdown in initiatives designed to combat climate change, largely attributed to the emissions produced by gasoline and diesel fuel.
What Provisions Does Trump’s Executive Order Contain Regarding EVs?
In his order, Trump committed to abolishing the electric vehicle (EV) mandate while advocating for genuine consumer choice, which he claims is vital for economic innovation and growth. He intends to dismantle regulatory obstacles to vehicle access and ensure a fair regulatory environment for consumers.
While Biden has not imposed a mandate requiring the purchase of EVs, his administration has sought to incentivize both consumers to choose electric options and car manufacturers to transition from gasoline to electric models.
The executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy” revokes Biden’s goal of ensuring that EVs comprise 50% of new car sales by 2030. Additionally, it aims to eliminate a federal exemption that permits California to prohibit gas-powered car sales by 2035.
This waiver is crucial not only for California but also for numerous other states that adhere to its advanced vehicle emissions standards. Statements included in Trump’s order and other related directives suggest a move to repeal the $7,500 tax credit for new EV purchases established by Biden’s landmark climate legislation from 2022.
It seeks to roll back regulations from the Biden-era Environmental Protection Agency concerning greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from both passenger and commercial vehicles.
Trump’s actions mirror his previous tenure in the White House, during which he reversed stringent vehicle emissions standards enacted under President Barack Obama.
Did Trump Discuss EV Charging Infrastructure?
In the newly issued executive order, Trump has also paused billions of dollars earmarked for EV charging stations funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law from 2021.
Biden aimed to establish 500,000 EV chargers by 2030. As of late last year, only 214 operational chargers in 12 states had been financed through federal legislation, while 24,800 projects were in progress across the nation, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Currently, over 203,000 publicly available charging ports are in operation in the U.S., with nearly 1,000 new ones being added each week—more than double the available number in 2021.
Democratic Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, asserted that Trump’s effort to withhold congressionally appropriated funds is unlawful.
He stated, “While Trump has a long history of stiffing contractors who worked on his failed business ventures, the American government must uphold its commitments.”
He emphasized that freezing funds from the infrastructure and climate laws “would cost countless Americans their jobs,” labeling the funding as a vital investment in American manufacturing and homegrown energy that people across the nation rely on.
What is the Current State of EVs in the U.S.?
Despite a slowdown in the growth of EV sales last year, these vehicles accounted for 8.1% of new vehicle sales in the U.S., a slight increase from 7.9% the previous year, according to Motorintelligence.com.
The costs associated with EVs have gradually decreased as manufacturers ramp up production and battery prices improve; however, they still remain more expensive initially compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
Although automakers may support the relaxation of emissions standards, eliminating federal subsidies could hinder their ability to sell EVs, which have required billions in investments for development.
Prior to the executive order, some automakers had already scaled back their ambitious plans for electric vehicles. Ford abandoned plans for electric three-row SUVs in favor of gas-electric hybrids, while General Motors postponed production at an EV battery cell facility.
John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, expressed concern over a “mismatch” between the sales goals for EVs and the requirements from states like California. He stated,
“There’s a saying in the auto business: you can’t get ahead of the customer,” advocating for a unified national standard to reduce carbon emissions in transportation. “We can’t have regulations that push the industry too far ahead of the customer,” he remarked, stressing the need for balance between regulations and consumer choice.
What are the Implications Moving Forward?
In the short term, EV sales may surge as consumers seek to leverage existing tax credits that incentivize electric vehicle purchases. However, this order could complicate long-term efforts to achieve emissions reduction targets.
Light-duty vehicles are responsible for more than half of the greenhouse gases produced by the transportation sector, which is a major contributor to national emissions. Any attempt to amend or repeal existing regulations will likely face legal challenges from environmental advocates and other stakeholders.
Dan Becker, director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Safe Climate Transport Campaign, remarked, “These clean car rollbacks will burden Americans with a Trumpfecta of higher prices, more pollution and weaker competitiveness,” stating that Trump is undermining the most important step taken to combat climate pollution.
As the election approaches, Trump has fostered a closer relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose company leads the global EV market and boasts the highest market cap among automakers.
Recently, Trump appeared to adopt a slightly more lenient attitude toward EVs. Musk has taken charge of a task force dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to identify opportunities for reducing federal regulations, terminating federal positions, and eliminating programs.
