Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has levelled his latest threats at electric vehicle (EV) companies in the US, while wanting to bring the biggest name in the industry closer to himself.
Speaking to news agency Reuters following a recent campaign event in Pennsylvania – where the former president has been trying to drum up support – Mr Trump criticised the country’s EV tax credits.
“Tax credits and tax incentives are not generally a very good thing,” he said when asked by Reuters on his thoughts about the existing scheme.
Donald Trump
In the USA, EVs are currently eligible for federal tax credits of up to US$7500 (A$11,170), though under incumbent President Joe Biden’s administration stricter requirements around vehicle and battery sourcing have been introduced.
Mr Trump most recently pledged to get rid of the tax credits in July, while also promising to end the country’s “electric vehicle mandate” despite no such requirements existing.
When asked if he would consider tapping Mr Musk to become an advisor or even take up a cabinet job should his bid for a second term of presidency be successful, Mr Trump said the Tesla executive is on the shortlist.
“He’s a very smart guy. I certainly would, if he would do it, I certainly would. He’s a brilliant guy,” Mr Trump said of Mr Musk.
Elon Musk
Last month, the latter publicly endorsed the Mr Trump’s presidential campaign, despite ongoing attacks on the US EV industry which Tesla dominates.
Earlier this month at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, Mr Trump once again falsely claimed the US Government has mandates which will require EV sales to reach 100 per cent.
“They’re mandating that you buy an all-electric car,” Mr Trump said.
“Elon Musk endorsed me, and he’s a friend of mine, he’s a good guy and a smart guy. But I’m against everybody having an electric car.”
While the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does have a target for EVs to account for between 35 to 56 per cent of sales on the new vehicle market by 2032, this is not an enforcement or mandate. Rather it’s an outline of what carmakers will need to do to meet wider emissions regulations across their fleets.
This EPA target was previously as high as 67 per cent before being walked back in April this year, following cooling demand for EVs.
The former president has also vowed to impose a 100 per cent tariff on vehicles made in Mexico for Chinese companies if he’s reelected later this year, as brands like BYD look to build factories there.
This was followed in May by the current Biden Administration raising the tariff on certain Chinese imports including EVs from 25 to 100 per cent, not including the existing 2.5 per cent duty tax on all vehicles imported to the US.
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