Report: Trump's transition team will revoke Biden's electric vehicle and emissions policies
Reuters reported that the transition team's plan includes eliminating the consumer tax credit for electric vehicle purchases, imposing tariffs on all battery materials globally, and retracting Biden's support for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure
The Trump transition team plans to make significant reforms to U.S. electric vehicle policies, potentially eliminating support for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
On the 15th, Reuters reported that the Trump transition team plans to eliminate the $7,500 consumer tax credit for electric vehicle purchases. The team suggested removing support for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
The transition team also proposed imposing tariffs on all battery materials globally to promote domestic production and negotiating individual exemptions with allies.
Cuts to support for electric vehicles could also impact Tesla's sales. However, Musk stated that the elimination of subsidies would have a greater impact on competitors than on Tesla, as he believes Tesla already holds a dominant position in the market.
Trump Team to Revoke Biden's Electric Vehicle and Emission Policies, Tesla Unfazed by Policy Changes
The new plan is in stark contrast to the Biden administration's automotive subsidy policies in the Inflation Reduction Act. The Biden administration plans to provide tax credits, build charging networks, and incentivize domestic manufacturing to boost manufacturing development and drive the U.S. transition to clean energy.
In contrast, the Trump transition team plans to reclaim the remaining funds from the Biden administration's $7.5 billion charging station construction plan, redirecting them to battery mineral processing and "defense supply chains and critical infrastructure." The documents indicate that batteries and related minerals are essential for defense production, but electric vehicles and charging stations are not.
These policy changes could strike a blow to the U.S. electric vehicle market, especially now that traditional manufacturers like General Motors are trying to expand their electric vehicle offerings.
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm warned that eliminating these tax credits would weaken U.S. competitiveness and could allow other countries, particularly China, to gain an advantage in the electric vehicle sector.
Cuts to support for electric vehicles could also impact Tesla's sales. However, Musk stated that the elimination of subsidies would have a greater impact on competitors than on Tesla, as he believes Tesla already holds a dominant position in the market.
According to Cox Automotive data, Tesla's electric vehicle sales in the third quarter were slightly less than half of U.S. electric vehicle sales. Electric vehicle sales from General Motors, Ford, and Hyundai lag far behind. However, Tesla's competitors in the U.S. electric vehicle sector are steadily eating into its market share, with Tesla's market share exceeding 80% in the first quarter of 2020