Along with a variety of other possible updates in terms of automotive-related policy, incoming President Donald Trump is reportedly mulling the idea of killing off the existing $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which is set to happen after he takes office next month. While Ford vice chair and chief financial officer John Lawler recently stated that he isn’t concerned about such a move – given the automaker’s current focus on offering a mix of powertrain options amid weaker-than-expected EV demand – it could certainly impact sales, regardless. Now, the Trump transition team reportedly wants to nix more of current President Joe Biden’s EV programs, too.
According to Reuters, Trump’s transition team has recommended a variety of actions in addition to eliminating the federal EV tax credit, including easing regulations on ICE models, rolling back emissions and fuel-economy standards, imposing tariffs on battery materials imported into the U.S. (with some possible exceptions for ally nations), and redirect money currently reserved for charging stations and incentives to methods for procuring materials that don’t come from China, as well as “national defense supply chain and critical infrastructure.” “When he takes office, President Trump will support the auto industry, allowing space for both gas-powered cars and electric vehicles,” said Trump transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.
These proposals are in addition to some others that are allegedly in consideration, including Trump’s reported desire to impose tariffs on imported goods from Mexico and Canada (which may merely be a negotiation tactic), as well as cancel a USPS contract with Oshkosh Defense and Ford, which are slated to supply the Post Office with tens of thousands of all-electric delivery vehicles and charging stations. The transition team also reportedly wants to ditch current requirements for automakers to report crash reporting pertaining to partially-automated systems, too.
Regardless, in addition to Lawler’s aforementioned comments, Ford CEO Jim Farley recently stated that he isn’t worried about any of these proposed changes to the automotive industry, citing the fact that The Blue Oval has endured many administrations and policy changes over its century-plus in business.
Comments
Attempting to roll back ICE regulations won’t make much difference as manufacturers will continue to progress with more efficient running vehicles anyway. They’re already geared up to do so, and have anticipated adapting to future regulations.
You are one of the few posters here that speaks the truth.
Mark B is delusional!
Automakers will not put out a more expensive emission engine if they don’t have to. COMMON SENSE!
Nah, Mark B is correct. Regardless of Trump’s regulation rollback, automakers will continue on the same track. Maybe a company like Stellantis with a new CEO might bring back the HEMI, but most others are going hybrid, plug-in, and EV. It’ll just be that EV rollout will be slower and over a more extended period of time.
But don’t lose sight. At some point, ICE vehicles will disappear. Trump will not have any influence on that.
I don’t think ICE vehicles will completely disappear in our lifetime (maybe 20-30 yrs for me haha). As long as there are combines, tractor trailers, tanks, airplanes, boats, etc, then the IC fuel and manufacturing infrastructure are going to remain intact. I am not anti EV and I have considered an EV recently, but for now I don’t want my newest and most expensive vehicle to be my least versatile vehicle. A guy I work with has a Tesla and it never sees out of town duty because he can drive his IC vehicle at higher speeds with less range penalty, fill up less and much faster with a myriad of choices of when and where he wants to do it. When EV’s can charge at more convenient places in a similar amount of time that it takes to fill with petrol, then there will be more takers. For now, sitting in an obscure parking for 20 minutes with the heat off, looking at my phone, then going to a gas station to take a leak doesn’t top current IC convenience.
They’ve been saying ICE vehicles will disappear for 50 years now.
Good. The EV incentives never should have existed in the first place.
EVs are endless bottomless money pits for auto manufacturers!! Until you can go 500 miles and not have to wait 3+ hours to recharge forget buying one!! I will never own an EV!! Would get a horse first!!
Get the horse soon! By 2050 you cannot buy a new ICEV anywhere.
Trump need an act of Congress to remove the benefits that Biden passed before. I doubt he will get the votes to do that. He is full of hot air on his promises, and will fail agan, as he did in his first term.
Definitely we will see the end of new ICEVs before 2050 and sooner if Iran goes to was with Israel, increasing gas prices.
Trump had this country energy independent his first term and he will again now that Biden’s finished. It was Biden that drove up gas prices by stopping pipelines and making us dependent on the middle east for oil.