In 2024, Republican EV attacks may fall short as swing states reap investment
By Gram Slattery and Nichola Groom
November 27, 20236:22 AM EST
WASHINGTON, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Electric vehicles are a "hoax," they do not work, and they are strengthening China's economy at the expense of American jobs.
Those are among the criticisms that contenders for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, including former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have leveled on the campaign trail in recent weeks.
But while EVs have emerged as a common foe for Republicans seeking the country's top job, they are increasingly a source of tax revenue and employment in the states that will determine the winner of the 2024 presidential election.
That has created a potential opportunity that President Joe Biden and some Democratic congressional candidates are seeking to exploit to win support before next November's vote, according to 25 Democratic and Republican strategists, local officials, labor leaders and a review of campaign literature.
There have been roughly $128 billion in investments in domestic EV and battery manufacturing announced since the 2022 passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA. That law, supported by Biden and congressional Democrats, created tax credits to boost domestic EV manufacturing.
Of that investment, $48 billion - or one third - has taken place in Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and Michigan, according to an analysis done by advocacy group Climate Power at Reuters' request. Those four states, along with Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, are the arguably the most competitive in the country...
On the presidential campaign trail, Republicans have struck a different tone. They have made clear they see IRA subsidies as government overreach, while expressing concern that minerals vital for EV manufacturing, like graphite and manganese, often originate in China.
Trump and other Republicans, who tend to back traditional energy sources like oil and coal along with gasoline-powered cars and trucks, have also appealed to the anxieties of the United Auto Workers union.
Many UAW members are wary of EVs as they require less labor to assemble than combustion engine vehicles. While the UAW is strong in Michigan, the union is weaker in the South and Southwest.
"Joe Biden's electric vehicle obsession helps China, hurts American consumers and families, and is a pathetic non-solution to skyrocketing gas prices under his watch," said Anna Kelly, press secretary for the Republican National Committee.
A Trump spokesperson pointed Reuters to a recent policy announcement in which the former president said EV manufacturing would harm workers. "What's happening to our auto workers is an absolute disgrace and an outrage beyond belief," Trump said.
The DeSantis campaign did not respond to a request for comment, though he has been consistently critical of EVs.
"Why would you want to knowingly make this country more dependent on what goes on in China?" DeSantis said in July.
Biden's campaign pointed Reuters to a statement from Kevin Munoz, a campaign spokesman, who said Trump's plan would mean more Chinese EV manufacturing jobs and fewer American jobs.
"Simply put: Trump had the United States losing the EV race to China and if he had his way, the jobs of the future would be going to China," Munoz said.
Some elected Republicans at the state level are approaching EVs with decidedly more nuance, which can complicate Democrats' messaging efforts.
Brian Kemp, the Republican governor of Georgia and a Trump adversary, opposes the IRA. But he has touted state-level tax credits that have brought EV manufacturers in-state, and has said he wants Georgia to be the "electric mobility capital" of America.
Brian Kemp has been infected with Tubervillism. It infects those against/for Trump while dismissing Biden's multiple billions of dollars in economic investments in many states of America.
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The global electric vehicle (EV) sector is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.9% between 2023 and 2035, according to new report from data and analytics company GlobalData, Power Technology's parent company.
It took five and a half years for total EV sales to hit one million units in the US. The leap to two million took only 18 months. JD Power forecasts the three millionth EV sale to happen in December 2023, taking just 12 months. Automakers in the US are expected to sell four million EVs by Q3 2024.
If you’re looking to buy an EV this holiday season, it might be prudent to wait till next year. Starting January 2024, eligible buyers will be able to transfer their $7,500 federal tax credit to a dealer, resulting in lower point-of-sale prices. Under the existing scheme, buyers can benefit from the federal tax credit only after they've filed their tax returns for the subsequent year.
https://insideevs.com/news/693653/ev-sales-might-bounce-back-early-2024/
Reminder, Trump administration, many other Republicans and 8 Democrats fought like hell to prevent individual states (e.g. California) from having Electric Vehicle (EV) mandates.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the regulations, saying the state would continue to "lead the revolution towards our zero-emission transportation future."
By the way...
Here are the 25 members of Congress who drive electric cars
AOC and two House Republicans have gone plug-in. Ted Cruz is thinking about it. Josh Hawley says, “Absolutely not.” In all, at least 25 members of Congress drive electric vehicles, a POLITICO E&E News tally found.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/30/lawmakers-drive-electric-vehicle-00108833
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