Biden and Trump: Differing Approaches on Electric Cars and the Challenge from China

Assessing Biden and Trump’s Stance on Electric Vehicles (EVs) It’s important to comprehend how two very different U.S. leaderships, under President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, have vied their stands on electric vehicles. Following the interest in sustainable energy solutions, electric vehicles have become a focal element in fighting climate change. Under Trump’s Administration Donald Trump’s presidency was marked by generous support towards fossil fuels. Trump even rolled back fuel efficiency standards set by his predecessor, Barack Obama. His administration cited this rollback as a move to make vehicles more affordable for Americans. However, many critics argued that it would only promote further production and use of gasoline-powered cars causing harm to the environment. Shifting this perspective, Trump did not demonstrate a high interest in EVs. In fact, his administration proposed slashing funds for electric vehicle research and renewable energy. This move was criticized greatly by proponents of sustainable energy, who saw electric vehicles as a centrepiece of fighting climate change. Moreover, Trump had caught headlines for his clash with California, a state that has always been at the forefront of promoting electric vehicles. His administration forced the state to roll back its tighter emission standards in a bid to synchronize them with the federal policy. China’s position as a global leader in the production of electric vehicles came as a potential economic threat under Trump’s tenure. Trump’s approach to China expanded beyond mere trade wars and tariffs, extending to technological tussles exemplified by the Huawei saga. In this light, the expansion of China’s EV industry became a concern for the Trump administration. Under Biden’s Administration Contrastingly, President Biden’s approach to electric vehicles and renewable energy is quite the opposite. Biden’s administration, from the start, has advocated for a green economy. Part of his $2 trillion climate plan involved transitioning the U.S. vehicle fleet to electric power – a significant boost to the electric vehicle industry. The Biden administration has plans to install half a million charging stations across the U.S, which would empower the EV mobility sector, making electric vehicles a more feasible option for Americans. Biden also plans to replace the entire government fleet with electric vehicles. Regarding China, Biden’s administration acknowledges China’s rapid ascension in EV production. Instead of viewing this as a threat, Biden appears to use it as a compelling reason for the U.S to rev up its production and competitiveness in this industry. Biden has strongly advocated for domestic manufacturing, insisting that the future of cars and trucks