Staff Reports
President Joe Biden, known for his ambitious and far-reaching regulations, is reportedly toning down his electric vehicle (EV) mandates just months before the 2024 presidential election. The Biden administration previously set the bar high, requiring that nearly seven in ten new cars sold in the United States be EVs by 2032. This move would essentially force Americans to ditch their beloved gas-powered vehicles and hop on the EV bandwagon.
Joe Biden Pumping Brakes on Electric Vehicle Mandates Before 2024 Electionhttps://t.co/iob7a8nPWG
— Old Mean Geezer (@OldMeanGeezer) February 20, 2024
But now, facing backlash and unpopularity, Biden seems to be backpedaling a bit. According to insider sources, the administration is planning to ease up on the strict EV mandates in a nod to automakers and labor unions. Their plan involves giving car manufacturers more time to meet the EV sales targets, with a significant increase in sales not required until after 2030. It seems like Biden is trying to make his green dreams a little less of a headache for everyone involved.
This sudden shift in Biden’s stance on EV mandates comes hot on the heels of United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain’s surprising endorsement of the president for reelection. Fain did admit, however, that “working-class people are hurting” under Biden’s administration, and many American auto workers are likely to vote for former President Donald Trump instead. The majority of UAW members are expected to vote based on their wallets, and it doesn’t look like Biden’s EV mandates have won them over.
Former President Trump has been quick to criticize Biden’s push for EVs, warning that the mandates could put millions of American auto jobs and supporting industries at risk due to the reduced labor needs in the EV production process. On top of that, he’s been butting heads with Biden over his tariff plan, which would slap a ten percent tariff on all imports. Meanwhile, Tesla’s big boss Elon Musk has chimed in, cautioning that without tariffs, China could “demolish” the American auto industry with cheap EVs. It’s a real tug-of-war between Team Trump and Team Biden, with American jobs hanging in the balance.
And if the pundits are right, Biden’s EV mandates aren’t exactly winning him any popularity contests among swing state voters. Recent polls have shown that a majority of voters in states like Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nevada, and Wisconsin are against Biden’s EV mandates. In fact, nationwide, 60 percent of voters don’t like the sound of these mandates one bit. Looks like Biden might need to put the brakes on his green plans if he wants to win over these swing state folks!
So, it seems like the Biden administration is learning that heavy-handed mandates and green dreams might not be such a hit with the American people after all. Will Biden be able to find a compromise that doesn’t steer America down a bumpy road? Time will tell, folks!
