
As President Donald Trump signals a potential return to the White House, questions loom over how his administration might reshape energy policies—particularly in the context of electric vehicles (EVs). While President Trump’s first term focused on bolstering the fossil fuel industry under the banner of “energy dominance,” the landscape has shifted significantly.
EVs now play a larger role in the U.S. economy, but skepticism about the pace and costs of adoption have become much more prevalent. How would the President’s vision of energy dominance reconcile with the money being spent with little to show for it?
Energy Dominance: Trump’s First-Term Playbook
During his first presidency, Trump’s energy policies centered on maximizing the production and export of fossil fuels. The administration rolled back environmental regulations, expanded drilling on federal lands, and prioritized coal, oil, and natural gas as pillars of energy security. This strategy helped boost job creation in traditional energy sectors and strengthened the U.S.’s position as a leading global energy exporter.
However, Trump’s policies often downplayed renewable energy and EV initiatives, which were viewed as being overly reliant on government subsidies. Federal tax credits for EVs and incentives for clean energy faced resistance under his administration, reflecting a broader skepticism toward the clean energy transition.
The New Reality: EVs Are on a Slow Pace toward Mass Adoption
Since Trump left office, the EV market has grown but less quickly then expected. The Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) poured billions into EV subsidies, incentivizing automakers to ramp up production and consumers to adopt electric vehicles. States like Michigan, Kentucky, and Georgia have seen massive investments in EV battery plants and related supply chains, creating thousands of jobs. Global competition has also intensified.
China leads the world in EV production and battery manufacturing, making the U.S.’s position in the global EV race increasingly critical. Automakers like Ford, General Motors, and Tesla have committed billions to EV development, though they have recently pulled back on the pace of new vehicle rollouts. The reality is the car companies lose billions of dollars on their EV divisions.
These developments raise a key question: Can President Trump’s vision of energy dominance incorporate EVs, or will his administration become more rational on increasing EV financial losses and ever increasing competition.
There are certain areas that would need to be addressed:
1. Securing Domestic Battery Supply Chains
A cornerstone of EV production is access to critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Currently, much of these materials are sourced and refined overseas, particularly in China. Trump has historically supported domestic mining and manufacturing, and his administration could double down on efforts to incentivize the U.S.-based extraction and processing of these materials. This approach would align with his America-first agenda while reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.
2. Expanding EV Infrastructure
EV adoption hinges on the availability of charging stations. Little has been accomplished from the $7.5 Billion in funds for the NEVI (National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure)
Program. There are many sites on the drawing board but this needs to be accelerated.
3. Supporting Job Creation in EV Manufacturing
President Trump has long championed American manufacturing, and the EV sector presents an opportunity to create high-paying jobs. States with large investments in EV production—many of which are politically significant battlegrounds—could benefit from policies that promote domestic EV assembly and battery production. Highlighting the job-creation potential of electrification might make EVs more politically appealing to his base.
4. Enhancing Energy Security Through Electrification
This is a counter intuitive aspect of this situation. The more EVs there are the more electric generation that utilities will need to develop. If you couple that with data center electric demand there is only one solution- more nuclear power!
Potential Challenges to Incorporating EVs
While integrating EVs into Trump’s energy agenda is feasible, it would not be without challenges. There is certainly political and cultural skepticism towards all of this and the president certainly shares this attitude. But without a doubt, the wheels of progress are moving towards a more prevalent EV world albeit at a slower pace than an all Democratic run government might like.
So what does all this mean?
President Trump’s approach to energy dominance in relation to EVs will likely hinge on how he balances traditional fossil fuel priorities with the steady march of the EV industry. While his first term largely sidelined electrification, the President is likely to take a more rational and phased approach to this entire industry.
Whether through bolstering domestic supply chains, expanding infrastructure, or framing EVs as a necessary part of the vehicle landscape, President Trump has an opportunity to redefine energy dominance for a new era. However, doing so would require navigating competing priorities, from maintaining support among fossil fuel stakeholders to embracing the inevitability of the need for more electric generation in the future.
At Charged Up!, we keep businesses and individuals informed about the evolving EV landscape. For more updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter at chargeduppro.com/subscribe.
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