This choice will determine what type of car you will acquire.
The rapid politicization of electric vehicles has caught the automotive industry by surprise.
The current U.S. presidential campaign is marked by intense scrutiny of the American automotive industry, a phenomenon that has not been seen so prominently in previous elections. Historically, elections have made brief references to this sector, but now the combination of Michigan, the cradle of major manufacturers (Ford, GM, and Stellantis), and the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has placed the industry at the center of an already unpredictable electoral contest.
Joe Biden kicked off his campaign by putting electric vehicles (EVs) at the heart of his efforts to combat climate change. His administration has proposed investing billions in charging infrastructure, tax credits for buyers, and funding for manufacturers wishing to establish new factories or upgrade existing ones. The president, known for his passion for cars, even drove a Ford electric truck as a demonstration of his commitment to these environmentally friendly vehicles.
However, this situation has been clouded by the narrative from right-wing media, which has portrayed Biden's policies as coercive mandates to force the purchase of electric vehicles at the expense of traditional gasoline cars. Donald Trump, the former president, capitalized on what he perceived as consumer concerns regarding the range of EVs and their high costs, turning this into a message of inappropriate government intervention. Trump, during his campaign, dismissed EVs, claiming they would "kill" the American automotive industry and "murder" jobs. Beyond this, the United Auto Workers' strike heightened tensions, with many expressing concerns about the transition to electric vehicles.
Biden has promoted a plan that mixes tax credits and exemptions to encourage wealthier individuals to opt for EVs, hoping that an increase in sales will help cool prices. The rapid politicization of EVs surprised even industry leaders. Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, recently acknowledged that she never imagined that a vehicle's propulsion system would become a political issue. However, the reality is that choosing a car has always reflected certain beliefs and political alignments.
Government policies also use their regulatory power to guide consumers toward desired outcomes, in this case, prioritizing the development and adoption of clean technologies. Recently, the EPA adopted new regulations aiming to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2032, requiring more than half of new vehicle sales to be EVs.
In a context where the acceptance of EVs is polarized between political parties, Democrats continue to invest in electric vehicle infrastructure, even as sales have begun to stagnate. Trump, for his part, has promised that if elected, he will ban any attempts by states to phase out internal combustion engines. In the electoral battlefield, Vice President Kamala Harris has maintained some distance from EVs, focusing more on her support for the fracture while seeking votes in Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, polls show that only 30% of Americans consider purchasing an electric vehicle for their next buy, evidencing persistent concerns over charging infrastructure and costs. The transition to EVs has proven to be a challenge, and despite the country's multibillion-dollar investment, progress in adoption has been slow. With competition from China, which has shown the ability to produce affordable EVs, the situation becomes even more complicated.
Both Trump and Harris seem to lack clear solutions regarding the growing Chinese competition, focusing instead on raising tariffs and protectionist policies. The campaigns are so centered on EVs that there is little room to discuss other equally crucial transportation issues, such as infrastructure or public transit. In the end, one can anticipate that whoever is elected will have a significant impact on the decision-making process for the next car purchase by Americans.