Automakers plead with Trump: don’t kill the EV tax credit

In a November 14th missive to Trump and his modulation team, the car industry’s main lobbying radical urges the caller medication to sphere incentives for EV buyers and manufacturers that were enacted nether President Joe Biden, arguing these policies support the US competitory globally portion besides creating “good jobs.”

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents the Big Three automakers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis — arsenic good arsenic overseas car companies that merchantability successful the US, are calling connected Trump to “promote stableness and predictability successful auto-related emissions standards.” But astatine the aforesaid time, the radical endorsed “reasonable and achievable emissions regulations,” suggesting that determination whitethorn beryllium immoderate wiggle country for a partial rollback of Biden’s tailpipe rules.

Of course, expecting that Trump volition beforehand stableness and predictability portion successful bureau seems woefully optimistic — and possibly disconnected from reality. Trump has said bluntly galore times what helium intends to bash erstwhile helium assumes office, and stableness and predictability don’t look similar they’re connected the menu.

During his campaign, Trump railed against Biden’s policies incentivizing EV purchases, promising to eliminate the “EV mandate” connected time one of his presidency. And since his victory, his modulation squad has discussed however to spell astir killing the EV taxation credit, among different incentives.

Also connected the chopping artifact are newly finalized Environmental Protection Agency rules requiring automakers to slash c emissions by 2032, chiefly by selling much EVs. This is different mode Trump could unravel his predecessor’s biology legacy, and 1 that is acquainted to him. During his archetypal term, Trump rolled backmost emissions standards enactment successful spot by President Barack Obama — and present appears poised to bash it again with Biden’s mandates.

John Bozzella, president and CEO of the alliance, didn’t reason Biden’s efforts to enforce stricter tailpipe rules connected automakers, though helium did telephone immoderate of the thresholds “stretch goals.” Now, successful his missive to Trump, helium is calling for “reasonable and achievable national and authorities emissions regulations aligned with existent marketplace realities that enactment a customer’s quality to acquisition a conveyance that meets their idiosyncratic needs.”

That could beryllium viewed successful a fig of ways. “Stability and predictability” suggests that automakers are bushed of EPA standards being rolled backmost and forward, and utilized arsenic a governmental football. But “reasonable and achievable” implies that Bozzella and his subordinate companies are good with kicking the tin down the roadworthy and pushing retired the deadlines for achieving definite emissions targets. In different words, wiggle room.

Bozzella besides endorsed a national regulatory model for autonomous vehicles, which has long been elusive successful the nation’s capital. Trump’s modulation squad is reportedly discussing the transition of a regulatory model that would effect successful much driverless cars connected the road. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a mega-donor to Trump and self-proclaimed “first buddy,” would basal to payment enormously from specified a determination fixed his volition to merchantability steering wheel-less and pedal-less Cybercabs successful 2026. The US volition request a model for AV deployment if it’s to stay competitory with China, Bozzella said successful the letter.

The missive is besides notable for its flattery of Trump. Bozzella congratulates him connected his triumph and professes to hold with him that consumers should beryllium capable to take their ain vehicle, playing into the mendacious assertion that Biden and Kamala Harris were trying to necessitate Americans to acquisition EVs. And helium commends him for recognizing and acknowledging the tremendous headwinds facing the industry.

All successful all, the missive is what you would expect from the manufacture pursuing Trump’s victory: a plea to beryllium cautious erstwhile slashing and burning done Biden’s regulatory legacy; a connection of shared values and alignment with Trump’s MAGA ethos and that of his allies; and supra all, a batch of flattery.