On January 22, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting the electric vehicle (EV) industry as part of his first-day actions. The order aims to ensure a 'level' playing field for gasoline-powered vehicles and halt federal funding for new EV charging stations. Trump criticized the Biden administration's climate agenda, claiming it would 'end' the 'Green New Deal' [6b775c80].
This executive order could potentially eliminate federal tax credits for EV purchases and revoke California's waiver for stricter car regulations, which has been a significant factor in the state's ability to implement more aggressive emissions standards [6b775c80]. Following the announcement, shares of EV companies like Rivian and Tesla fell sharply, reflecting investor concerns about the future of the EV market under Trump's administration [6b775c80].
Clean air advocates in Pennsylvania are still promoting the benefits of electric vehicles while countering disinformation from the U.S. petroleum industry. The Environmental Defense Fund's advocacy partner EDF Action, along with representatives of public health and labor, emphasize the advantages of EVs in terms of price, performance, popularity, public health, and the environment [45b039db].
Despite the challenges posed by Trump's new policies, recent insights from Lydia Berry highlight the affordability of EVs. She shares her experience transitioning from a 2008 Toyota Corolla to a 2017 Chevy Bolt, reducing the price of her EV from $19,000 to approximately $11,500 thanks to financial incentives from state and federal programs [fe2631bc].
While the cost of owning and operating an EV is decreasing, and battery technology is becoming less expensive, challenges remain, particularly regarding charging infrastructure. Berry notes that in New England, the limited availability of strategically placed charging stations poses a significant barrier to EV adoption [fe2631bc].
According to a recent analysis by Margo T. Oge, air pollution in the U.S. has dropped by 78% since 1975, with today's vehicles being 98%-99% cleaner for common pollutants. The Model Year 2023 cars achieve an average of 27 miles per gallon, and new vehicles emit less than half the CO2 per mile compared to 1975 models. Tesla accounted for about half of U.S. EV sales in 2024, while U.S. EV sales increased from 6.7% in 2022 to 11.5% in 2023 [13adc25f].
Global car manufacturers have committed $1.2 trillion to transition the industry, with $312 billion expected in the U.S. alone, creating over 195,000 new jobs in the EV sector. However, concerns remain regarding potential rollbacks of clean car standards under the new Trump administration, which could stall the progress made in reducing emissions and enhancing vehicle efficiency [13adc25f]. Kathy Harris from the NRDC criticized Trump's policy as benefiting 'fat-cat oil executives,' while the Alliance for Automotive Innovation called for a single national standard for vehicle emissions [6b775c80].
As the U.S. government and auto industry invest billions in developing and manufacturing EVs, the advocacy effort in Pennsylvania and personal experiences like Berry's underscore the growing momentum behind the transition to electric vehicles. However, Trump's executive order introduces significant uncertainty into the future of this transition, potentially complicating efforts to reduce emissions and promote cleaner transportation options [6b775c80].