Above, PBS report on increasing acceptance of EVs in conservative Utah. On the negative side, they allow an EV skeptic to repeat the “they can’t be recycled” canard. The reporter seems well intentioned but not well-briefed.
On balance, we’ll take it.
Meanwhile, Trump administration continues trying to strangle the energy transition, in one case by blocking federal funds for vehicle charging stations.
Wondering when GM and Ford speak up about how this compromises their already shaky future?
Experts are questioning President Donald Trump’s latest effort to slow the electric vehicle charging buildout in the U.S.
In a letter Thursday night, the Trump administration directed states to stop spending money for EV charging infrastructure, funds they were allocated under former President Joe Biden. Trump has slammed federal funding for electric vehicle chargers as “an incredible waste of taxpayer dollars.”
The administration may need an act of Congress for this, and it’s unclear there will be one. Industry leaders say customer demand will continue to drive growth in the charging network, regardless of federal funding.
The Tesla Supercharger network — led by CEO Elon Musk, now a prominent member of Trump’s inner circle — itself has received millions of dollars through the program that was just halted. But it also has a massive footprint of chargers across the country. Tesla will continue expanding its network regardless of federal money — and likely still benefit from its competitors receiving fewer funds.
The federal buildout is not the only or even the central effort to build EV charging across the nation. Private companies have collectively spent billions on this infrastructure.
Industry leaders say that the demand from drivers for EV chargers will propel companies to build more of them. “I think the trend will continue. Maybe it’ll slow down over the next four years … but it’s going to continue,” said Bassem Ammouri, the chief operating officer at EV Connect, a major EV charging platform.
The fear for some is that delaying critical charging infrastructure could have a domino effect on the EV transition, because it could slow sales, said Matt Stephens-Rich, director of programs at the non-partisan group Electrification Coalition.
“As the world is shifting to electric vehicles, any slowdown will put the U.S. auto industry further behind,” Stephens-Rich said.
“Experts are questioning President Donald Trump’s…”
– intelligence
– sanity
– behavior