Donald Trump and Kamala Harris promise major driving law changes amid electric vehicle deal breaker

The Presidential race, which could be one of the tightest elections in recent years, could be influenced by the driving population and be based on what motoring promises the candidates make.

Kamala Harris, as Vice President, worked with President Joe Biden to introduce measures to "build the industries of the future" and create high-quality union jobs in the electric vehicle and battery supply chains.

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The US Government also ensured that drivers could benefit from credits for new clean vehicles purchased in 2023 or after. Drivers can receive a credit worth up to $7,500 (£5,804).

Harris also points out that the Biden-Harris Administration helped create more than 1.6 million manufacturing and construction jobs to rebuild roads and bridges.

Speaking during a visit to the Brandywine Maintenance Facility in Maryland three years ago, Harris said electric vehicles were crucial for the health of the nation, as well as the economy.

She added: "When we ask people what is the biggest barrier for them to buy an electric car, the answer is almost always: figuring out where and how to charge it.

"People who live in apartments, for example, might not have a private driveway where they can install a plug. Well, when we install public chargers, in rural, urban, and suburban neighborhoods, we make it easier for people to go electric.

"It’s that simple. It’s about being clear about what we need to get done and then to do it. In this imperative to go electric, there is an immense opportunity."

Similarly, Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for Vice President, has backed the use of electric vehicles, saying they are "irrefutable" and promoting strong environmental measures in his home state of Minnesota.

He said that Minnesotans reference an adage that people should "skate where the puck is going to be" and that "the puck is going to be in EVs". Under Governor Walz, 20 per cent of all cars in the state will need to be electric by the end of the decade.

The United States has a long history of automotive manufacturing, especially in the crucial swing state of Michigan. Some of the nation's largest unions have also waded in the Presidential debate.

In August, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union formally endorsed Kamala Harris, describing her as someone who has "stood with working people and walked a picket line", while her opponent was branded a "scab and a lapdog for the billionaires".

In the same month, the UAW union filed federal labour charges against former President Donald Trump and Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk for attempting to "intimidate and threaten workers".

Despite his close relationship with Elon Musk, who has pledged his unwavering support for the 78-year-old, Donald Trump has gone on record multiple times to criticise the use of electric vehicles, as well as climate-related matters.

Trump acknowledged the irony of this, saying: "I'm for electric cars, I have to be because Elon endorsed me very strongly."
Speaking at a recent rally in New Mexico, Trump claimed that people were trying to develop electric tanks, saying the military would be "environmentally friendly when you blast your way into various enemy cities".

Trump also said that policies relating to electric vehicles were killing businesses, especially those in the haulage industry. In one example, he explained that he spoke with a trucker who complained about the use of electric vehicles, comparing the push towards EVs with Nazi Germany.

He added: "This is what we're dealing with. It's like a Gestapo stuff. It's true, they used that term: 'It's like Gestapo stuff'. What they're doing to our country is unbelievable."

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JD Vance, Trump's pick for Vice President, has also been critical of electric vehicles, calling for more than $100billion (£77billion) in existing EV subsidies to be eliminated in favour of grants for American-made petrol and diesel cars.

The Drive American Act proposed that the subsidies should be replaced by America First Vehicle Credits to promote petrol and diesel cars and vans made in the United States.

He said the credits would provide up to $7,500 (£5,804) for new petrol or diesel vehicles, including hybrids, depending on the vehicle's payload and seating capacity.