Former President Donald Trump made headlines at a rally in Georgia on Saturday when he expressed his support for electric vehicles, citing Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s endorsement as a key factor in his stance. However, Trump also took the opportunity to criticize the EV industry and President Joe Biden’s EV mandates.
Musk, who has been known for his advocacy of electric vehicles and sustainable energy, has recently aligned himself with conservative politics, particularly on the issue of free speech. Despite rumors of a $45 million donation to a pro-Trump super PAC, Musk has denied such claims.
During the rally, Trump emphasized his newfound support for electric cars, stating, „I’m for electric cars. I have to be because, you know, Elon endorsed me very strongly.“ However, he clarified that he sees electric vehicles as only a „small slice“ of the overall auto industry, advocating for a variety of vehicle options including gas-powered cars and hybrids.
Trump’s criticism of Biden’s EV regulations, which aim to increase EV sales to half of all new vehicle sales by 2030, was also a focal point of his speech. He argued against the mandate, asserting that not everyone wants an electric car and that consumers should have the freedom to choose their preferred type of vehicle.
In addition to his comments on electric vehicles, Trump raised concerns about the cost of installing EV chargers nationwide. He inaccurately claimed that the government spent $9 billion to build eight chargers in the Midwest, and he provided varying estimates for the total cost of nationwide charger installation, ranging from $5 trillion to $12 trillion.
Despite Trump’s criticisms, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 allocated $7.5 billion to support the installation of thousands of EV chargers across the country. However, reports indicate that only 15 charging stations have been installed so far, with each station receiving an average of $770,000 in federal funding.
Overall, Trump’s remarks at the rally underscored the complex dynamics surrounding electric vehicles, political endorsements, and infrastructure development. As the debate over EV regulations and investments continues, the intersection of politics and technology remains a key area of interest and contention for policymakers, industry leaders, and the public alike.