The Future of Electric Vehicles Under Trump

Will Elon Musk’s influence temper Trump’s anti-EV stance?

1 minute read

November 12, 2024, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of four Tesla sedans parked and plugged in at charging station.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s support of President-Elect Trump could sway the next administration’s stance on EV policy. | Graham / Adobe Stock

In an article in Wired, Aarian Marshall assesses how Trump’s electoral win could impact the future of electric vehicle adoption in the United States.

Although Trump has promised to “end the electric vehicle mandate on day one” of his presidency, his close relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk could affect how the next administration treats EVs. In fact, Trump has explicitly said he “has to be” in favor of electric cars because “Elon endorsed me very strongly.”

According to Marshall, “It will likely prove difficult and time-consuming for Trump and his allies to undo four years of EV support. Because so many climate-related policies are enshrined in federal law, he will need help from Congress to nix them.” The federal government could go after EV subsidies, but other regulations will be harder to backtrack on.

The new administration could also target infrastructure funding that has not yet been distributed or allocated, which could include money for EV infrastructure. Meanwhile, Trump and Biden are aligned on high tariffs which effectively prevent Chinese car manufacturers from selling vehicles in the United States.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 in Wired

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Complete Street

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge

Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

February 27, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Green electric Volkswagen van against a beach backdrop.

The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan

Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.

March 3, 2025 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

View of mountains with large shrubs in foreground in Altadena, California.

Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire

In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.

March 9 - Pasadena NOw

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9 - Axios

Close-up of row of electric cars plugged into chargers at outdoor station.

Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives

A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.

March 9 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation