Donald Trump has slammed electric cars, telling car makers they could lose their jobs and saying the US Government was trying to “assassinate” industry.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Clinton, Michigan, the former President warned what would happen to workers at car production factories once electric vehicles are dominant.
This comes as strikes continue across the United States, with more than 25,000 workers protesting for better working conditions against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.
The United Auto Workers union has been on strike since mid-September, with Joe Biden becoming the first President to visit a UAW picket line and supporting their actions.
WATCH NOW: Trump tells workers EVs will "kill" their jobs
In response to this, Donald Trump said: “Now they want to go all electric and put you all out of business. You know that right?
“To the welders, assembly line workers, machine operators, forklift drivers, pipe fitters, tool and die makers, mechanics, electricians, technicians and journeymen.
“We love being with you. And we love being with you right in your environment. You built this country. You love this country and you are the ones that make our country run. You know that, right?”
He also attacked Joe Biden, saying he only visited Michigan to post for photos on the picket line, adding that his policies will “send Michigan auto workers to the unemployment line”.
Trump criticised the Democratic President for only speaking for “a few seconds”, saying that he didn’t know what he was saying or where he was.
He added: “Biden’s mandate isn’t a Government regulation, it’s a Government assassination of your jobs and the industry.
“Hopefully your leaders at United Auto Workers will endorse Donald Trump. Endorse Trump and you can take a nice two-month vacation, come back and you guys are going to be better than you ever were.”
Drivers in the United States can get a tax credit of up to $7,500 (£6,202) for any new plug-in or fuel cell EV purchased in or after 2023.
Credits are also available for pre-owned cars worth $4,000 (£3,308) and a $7,500 (£6,202) credit for any new electric vehicle purchased before 2023, although this will vary based on battery capacity and when the manufacturer pledges to phase out polluting cars.
In total, the automotive industry has announced more than $100billion or £82.7billion in EV investments, creating more than 100,000 jobs in the process.
Despite this, Donald Trump has consistently undermined the vehicles, branding them “too expensive” and complaining that the battery range doesn’t allow them to go far enough.
Other conservative politicians have questioned the promotion of electric vehicles, including Italian Transport Minister Matteo Salvini who blasted the EU for banning internal combustion engines.
He warned that the decision was “madness”, would affect jobs and give China a far greater share of production of petrol and diesel cars.
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Donald Trump has frequently attacked electric cars
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Similarly, Czech MEP Alexandr Vondra said supporters of more stringent pollution limits were “the gravediggers of the automotive industry in Europe”.
