President-elect Donald Trump is expected to roll back state electric vehicle (EV) sales mandates, which were implemented by his predecessor Joe Biden. The auto industry, including Nissan and Toyota, has expressed concerns that the current timelines are unrealistic, given slowing EV demand and job cuts.
Automakers are facing a challenging transition to meet the Biden administration’s stricter emissions regulations, with some companies cutting jobs to save costs. However, they have poured billions of dollars into EVs, and executives say they are committed to the transition due to competition from China.
Trump has vowed to kill tax credits and incentives that encourage Americans to buy EVs, which could impact the industry’s ability to meet state requirements. In response, a group of automakers, including BMW, Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen, have agreed to follow California’s rules through 2026.
Industry leaders, such as Jérémie Papin from Nissan and John Bozzella from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, are strategizing how to influence Trump on EV sales requirements. They argue that current timelines are too ambitious and may be out of step with demand.
Trump has previously expressed skepticism about EVs, but now plans to support the auto industry, allowing space for both gas-powered cars and electric vehicles. The transition team has stated that when Trump takes office, he will stop attacks on gas-powered cars and support domestic investment in the supply chain.
An analysis commissioned by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that companies have announced $312 billion in planned investments in EVs and battery production since Biden took office. However, some automakers, such as Toyota, are advocating for doing away with EV mandates and subsidies altogether, citing market distortion and limited customer choices.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/automakers-ev-timelines-opportunity-trump-nissan-toyota-state-rules-2024-12