- The Republican presidential candidate added he could appoint Elon Musk to his cabinet.
- Trump said he generally does not support tax credits or tax incentives.
- Despite previously opposing EVs, the former president now says he is “a big fan of electric cars.”
Donald Trump has suggested he could axe the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, despite recently changing his stance on electric vehicles after receiving strong support from Tesla chief executive Elon Musk.
The former president, and current Republican presidential candidate, told the media after a campaign event in York, Pennsylvania, that he doesn’t like tax incentives, but cautioned he has yet to make a final decision on the EV credit.
Read: UAW Files Federal Charges Against Musk And Trump For Threatening Workers
“Tax credits and tax incentives are not generally a very good thing,” Trump told Reuters. “I’m not making any final decisions on it. I’m a big fan of electric cars, but I’m a fan of gasoline-propelled cars, and also hybrids and whatever else happens to come along.”
Although Trump wouldn’t commit to the future of the EV tax credit, he did say that he would rescind rules implemented by the Biden administration that’ll force car manufacturers to build more electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to meet strict emissions standards.
Trump has other plans for the U.S. auto industry. He has said that he will look to discourage exports of vehicles built locally by Ford, GM, and Stellantis, while also imposing tariffs to prevent Chinese car manufacturers from building factories in Mexico and then exporting cars to the United States.
Interestingly, the former President is open to Chinese carmakers selling their vehicles in the U.S. However, he insists they must build them locally, too.
“We’re going to give incentives, and if China and other countries want to come here and sell the cars, they’re going to build plants here, and they’re going to hire our workers,” he said. “We will make our own cars. I want to make our own cars.”
Elon Musk could also be named in an advisory or cabinet role if Trump wins the presidential race. “He’s a very smart guy. I certainly would, if he would do it, I certainly would. He’s a brilliant guy,” Trump explained.
