The Presidential Candidate also said he would consider making Elon Musk an advisor.
Musk has publicly endorsed Trump in the presidential race.
Electric vehicles manufactured in North America are currently eligible for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits in the United States.
Earlier this week, Donald Trump said that he might put an end to federal EV tax incentives in the United States if he is granted a second presidential term as a result of the November election.
While the former president has often derided electric cars, he told Reuters that he is a “big fan of electric cars”, also adding that he likes gasoline-powered models, hybrids, and “whatever else happens to come along”.
As of now, most electric vehicles produced in North America are eligible for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits in the United States.
It is not surprising to learn that Donald Trump could terminate these credits since he tried to do so during his administration.
Along with these credits which benefit buyers, the former president says he will also scrap rules that force automakers to manufacture more and more electrified models to reduce emissions because he doesn’t see EVs becoming more popular than they are now due to their high price and low range.
When asked about Chinese EVs, Trump declared he is open to Chinese automakers opening plants in the United States to sell their cars on the local market, but he wants to take steps to prevent them from manufacturing these models in Mexico instead by imposing tariffs on the border.
These proposed tariffs would also impact American auto manufacturers, all three of which build some of their models in Mexico to benefit from the lower labour costs that prevail in this country. This, he hopes, could bring well-paid manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
During the same interview, Trump said he would consider making Elon Musk an advisor or a cabinet member in his possible second term, saying the businessman and Tesla CEO is “a very smart guy”.
Both men’s political opinions have long been similar, but Musk and Trump seem to have gotten closer since the former bought Twitter late in 2022. In fact, Elon Musk publicly endorsed Trump for president last month.
Source: Reuters via Automotive News
