Trump transition team to roll back Biden EV, emissions policies
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The incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s transition team is proposing significant changes to electric vehicle (EV) policies, according to a document seen by Reuters. These include halting support for EVs and charging infrastructure and imposing stricter measures to block cars, components, and battery materials from China.
The recommendations, previously unreported, emerge as the U.S. EV transition slows, while China’s heavily subsidised EV industry thrives due to its advanced battery supply chain. On the campaign trail, Trump pledged to ease regulations on fossil-fuel vehicles and roll back what he described as President Joe Biden’s EV mandate.
The transition team also suggests introducing global tariffs on battery materials to encourage U.S. production, with exemptions negotiated individually with allied nations.
If adopted, these proposals would mark a significant shift from Biden administration policies, which aimed to promote a domestic battery supply chain independent of China while accelerating the EV transition. Under Trump’s plan, funds currently allocated for charging infrastructure and making EVs more accessible would instead prioritise national defence, including securing battery supplies and critical minerals free from Chinese influence.
