Trump is reportedly planning to reverse Biden’s electric vehicle policies

In perhaps the least surprising news of the past six weeks, President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning to roll back President Biden’s policies on electric vehicles and emissions. Reuters Reports The transition team for the next president recommended cutting support for electric vehicles and charging stations while strengthening measures to prevent the entry of cars, components and battery materials from China.

Other plans reported to the transition team include new tariffs on all battery materials globally, boosting U.S. production of battery materials and negotiations with allies for exemptions. They are also said to be planning to take money intended to build charging stations and make electric vehicles more affordable and redirect it to sourcing needed batteries and metals from places other than China. In addition, they are said to want it ax the Biden administration tax credit for $7,500 For consumer electric vehicle purchases.

The plans will allow automakers to produce more gas-powered vehicles by reversing emissions and fuel economy standards, pushing them back to 2019 levels. Reuters It says that would result in a 25 percent increase in emissions per vehicle mile compared to current limits. It will also reduce the vehicle’s average fuel economy by about 15 percent.

Climatologists have emphasized its importance Transition From gas-powered cars to electric vehicles Reducing carbon emissions and Repel the most destructive scenarios For the planet. Greenhouse gases, including those from vehicle emissions, accumulate in the atmosphere and warm the climate. Which Lead To a cascade of effects in the atmosphere, on land, and in the oceans – some of which are ours See already.

As for tariffs, economists have done so He said Trump’s plans will likely lead to multiple trade wars as countries retaliate by imposing tariffs on American goods, disrupting supply chains, and puncturing the heart of America’s post-World War II alliances. “If we go the tariff war route, we are on a very dark path for the economy,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. New York Times In October.

The Biden administration has championed climate legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which Allocating $369 billion to green initiativesand EPA rules requiring automakers to increase sales of electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, Trump did Named Climate change “hoax”. Reportedly in May He said A group of oil executives said he would immediately reverse dozens of Biden’s environmental rules while preventing the enactment of new ones. His asking price for such deregulation was $1 billion for his campaign. (Thanks Citizens United!) So, while reports of his transition team’s plans still come as a blow to those who care about leaving the planet in a habitable state for future generations (and slowing the impacts we’re already seeing), they’re not exactly a shock to anyone paying attention.