Can Trump really stop the EV revolution? |
Cavan Images/Getty Images |
Hours after taking the oath of office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order with the cinematic title "Unleashing American Energy." In it, he outlines several new policies to, as the title implies, "unleash America's affordable and reliable energy and natural resources." This is code for: promote fossil fuel and hobble the renewable energy transition. While Trump targeted electric vehicles in several questionable ways during his first week, let's focus on one specific thing in this executive order: Section 7, which is titled "Terminate the Green New Deal." This section goes after programs that support building out the country's EV charging infrastructure. It specifically targets the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant Program, which came out of one of former President Joe Biden's signature achievements, the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Together, the two programs allocate $7.5 billion to build out the US charging infrastructure. Trump wants to halt the disbursement of unspent funds from those programs. The question is: Can he do that?
The challenge there, of course, is that only legal scholars know at first glance which of Trump's many executive orders will affect policy — and which will get stuck in court for years to come. Nevertheless, the pieces of paper scare and confuse people. And that confusion will hang around, holding up actual progress for a meaningful amount of time. Trump's first assault on the fictional "EV mandate" serves as a perfect example of this strategy.
|
Trump's made some EV promises that'll be difficult to keep |
Trump said he was going to stop funding green infrastructure on the campaign trail. He falsely claimed that trillions of dollars were unspent, and that his administration would "redirect that money for important projects like roads, bridges, dams and we will not allow it to be spent on meaningless Green New Scam ideas." So it was ironic when, after Trump issued the executive order taking aim at US infrastructure, the Federal Highway Administration, which builds roads and dams, halted payments and stopped approving new projects out of an abundance of caution. The Trump administration, to its credit, issued a memorandum a day later, clarifying that the executive order only applied to "funds supporting the 'Green New Deal.'" The Green New Deal is not the same thing as the Infrastructure Law. In fact, while it's a popular concept, the Green New Deal is not a law at all; it's an idea. Terminating this concept is part of the latest party platform of the GOP, which refers to it as the "Socialist Green New Deal." Ever since Trump promised to freeze this EV charging infrastructure funding on the trail, legal experts have explained that he can't actually shut down these programs. Doing so would likely violate the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which prevents US presidents from blocking spending that has been appropriated by Congress. President Trump has also promised to repeal that law and give power to his executive branch. But he would need Congress to do that. Trump will also need Congress to shut down the programs providing funding for EV charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, 22 out of the 25 congressional districts receiving federal funding for EV manufacturing are represented by Republicans. So any real assault on the industry might face resistance on Capitol Hill, where Republicans have narrow majorities in both the House and the Senate. "These programs are legally entrenched, widely supported, and designed to withstand political turbulence," said Kathy Harris, director of clean vehicles, climate, and energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "The rhetoric is designed to grab headlines, but the reality is more complicated." In other words, the executive order is theater more than real policy, and that's nothing new for Trump. |
We should still keep an eye on Trump and EVs | The fact that Trump decided to attack EVs as one of his first acts in office deserves some concern. He's effectively setting the tone for his presidency, and that tone is decidedly hostile toward the environment. In addition to freezing funding for EV charging infrastructure, Trump rescinded an executive order from President Joe Biden that called for half of all new vehicles sold to be electric by 2030. Trump also plans to roll back EPA rules issued last year that implement stricter tailpipe emissions standards in an effort to fight climate change. Trump also wants to end EV subsidies and incentives, including the $7,500 tax credit for people who buy new EVs. His executive orders, so far, do none of these things. The auto industry, to its credit, does not seem too fazed by any of this. While some companies have rolled back certain plans ahead of Trump's victory — Ford notably canceled a three-row electric SUV last August — there's little doubt that when it comes to transportation, the future will be electrified. It would be foolish to bet on fossil fuels at this point. In Harris's words, "the American auto industry is not in a bubble, and the global auto industry is moving towards these cleaner vehicles." Trump is leaving himself a pretty big opening here. By leading with a ban on EV chargers, he's not taking direct aim at the American auto industry. It almost seems like this executive order is the applause line, and he's waiting to gauge the audience's reaction before axing programs, like tax credits, that directly impact carmakers and buyers. And while he's holding up that order, Trump leaves the real stakeholders twisting their caps in their hands, wondering once again if he can really do that. It will take months, if not years, to find clarity here. |
|
|
The Logoff is our new daily newsletter by senior editor Patrick Reis that will help you stay informed on the Trump administration — without letting political news take over your life. |
|
| | It's not easy being Greenland |
Trump wants Greenland. Greenland wants Greenland. Maybe you want Greenland. Why's the starkly picturesque island suddenly so coveted? Listen to Today, Explained, and you'll learn the answer. |
|
|
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images |
A brief history of lunch: Earlier this week, the Today, Explained (the podcast!) team brought you an episode about the long struggle to improve school lunches. Now, for those not super into audio, they're back with a text version of their prandial piece. Weird year in movies: I used to go to the movies every week, but last year, I didn't see too much. I think Kyndall Cunningham hits the nail on the head as to why.
Dyer decisions: We talked last week about how Red No. 3 is on the outs, but what about all the other dyes in food — are those safe for kids? Anna North investigates.
|
Decreeing no consent: The Trump administration's putting an end to consent decrees — basically agreements for federal oversight of police departments found to have made a habit of civil rights violations. [CNN] Speaking of police: Trump's pardoned two Washington, DC, police officers convicted of crimes related to the murder of a Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black man. [Reuters] Hegseth allegation: Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth has faced allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied. Now he faces allegations of domestic abuse, which he (and his ex-wife) have denied. [NBC] |
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images |
|
|
As the California fires continue, one strange phenomenon has emerged: On blocks where every building has burned, there will sometimes be a single structure still standing, largely intact. What makes those building so special? Umair Irfan chatted with an expert to find out. |
Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images |
Are you enjoying the Today, Explained newsletter? Forward it to a friend; they can sign up for it right here.
And as always, we want to know what you think. Specifically: If there is a topic you want us to explain or a story you're curious to learn more about, let us know by filling out this form or just replying to this email.
Today's edition was produced and edited by me, news editor Sean Collins. Has your week been alright? If not, I hope the weekend is better. See you all on Monday! |
|
|
|
