The relationship between Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has been largely positive, despite a notable spat last year. However, Trump has recently expressed his distaste for the electric vehicle (EV) sector.
Trump’s Comments on Electric Vehicles
During a speech in Las Vegas, Nevada, Trump stated:
“I ended the electric mandate. I don’t want to talk about it because Elon wasn’t exactly thrilled with me, but I had to do it. We love Elon.”
However, there was no “mandate” to switch to EVs. Instead, Trump is referencing the ending of the $7,500 federal tax credit. The president claimed that the tax credit would have required everyone to have an electric car within a short period, which is not accurate.
Criticism of EV Drivers
Trump also criticized EV drivers, stating that they have a “disease” and are “crazy” for worrying about charging their vehicles. He said:
“You ever see the signs? You’re driving along in electric car, they have a disease, you know it’s a disease…they’re driving and they realize their battery’s getting low, and they start thinking about it when it’s ¾ full.”
Tensions Over EV Sector
Trump’s comments undermine Musk and signal fresh hostility towards the EV sector, despite briefly expressing approval for electric cars. He stated:
“I like electric cars. You know, we sell 7% of our cars despite all the taxes and all of the things that we gave away. 7%.”
However, EV advocates have little reason to celebrate, as European adoption tops 20% and China sits above 50%.
Trump Vs. Musk Fights
The two figures have publicly clashed in the past, with Trump claiming that Musk has “Trump Derangement Syndrome” after Musk opposed the Big Beautiful Bill. Musk denied the claim, and the incident led to a significant loss in Tesla’s market cap.
Current Administration Support
Despite Trump’s criticism of EVs, his administration continues to support Musk and his companies with policies and regulations. This includes making it easier to advance autonomous vehicles, which Trump had previously opposed.
Autonomous Vehicles
Trump’s views on autonomous vehicles have been inconsistent, with him previously stating that he would stop them from operating on American roads. However, his administration has recently introduced changes to accelerate their deployment.