Amid the 2024 election campaign, some Senate Democrats in tough reelection races are distancing themselves from President Biden's electric vehicle policies as Republicans, led by Donald Trump, criticize the EV agenda.
Liz Goodwin reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Trump has made opposition to EVs a key part of his campaign, criticizing Biden’s EV policies as harmful to the auto industry.
- Vulnerable Senate Democrats are modifying their stance on Biden’s EV policies, reflecting concerns in their home states about economic impacts and ties to China.
- The fossil fuel industry is funding ads in swing states to link Democratic senators to Biden's EV push, framing it as a threat to traditional auto jobs.
Key quote:
“The U.S. must ban Chinese electric vehicles now, and stop a flood of Chinese government-subsidized cars that threaten Ohio auto jobs, and our national and economic security.”
— Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senator from Ohio
Why this matters:
In states with significant automotive manufacturing, the push for EVs has been met with concerns over job losses and economic displacement. The transition to electric cars involves not just a shift in consumer preferences but also a substantial transformation in manufacturing processes and supply chains. This has made some Democratic senators wary of fully endorsing the administration's policies, fearing backlash from constituents who rely on the traditional auto industry for their livelihoods.
