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Elon Musk has voiced his support for JD Vance, Donald Trump’s choice for vice president, despite Vance’s noted skepticism towards electric vehicles (EVs). Vance, who has shown his support for the fossil fuel industry and advocated for the elimination of EV subsidies, aligns with Musk on the subsidy issue. Musk has pointed out that Tesla, which previously benefited from government subsidies, would stand stronger in the marketplace without them.
JD Vance, currently a senator from Ohio and a venture capitalist backed by tech moguls like Peter Thiel and Steve Case, has expressed his disinterest in EVs, including Tesla cars, despite acknowledging their speed and appeal. His views on EVs are rooted in concerns about the environmental impact of their manufacturing process and the dependency on a power grid that largely relies on fossil fuels. Vance has criticized theincentives provided under President Joe Biden’s administration to boost EV purchases, proposing instead a tax credit for vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel that are manufactured in the U.S.
In contradiction to the pro-EV policies of the current administration, Vance has made a noticeable shift from recognising a climate problem to denying the climate crisis, a stance strengthened during his 2022 Senate campaign which received substantial donations from the oil and gas industry. His argument against EVs centers on the dominance of China in the supply chain for batteries and critical minerals, which he claims perpetuates reliance on the “dirtiest economy.”
Despite this, federal investment continues in North America’s EV sector, including significant projects in Vance’s home state of Ohio. These investments aim to enhance the region’s role in the evolving EV market, despite fluctuating sales figures.
Musk, who has recently pledged substantial financial support to a Trump-aligned super PAC, seems unbothered by the contradictory stances within his political endorsements, focusing instead on what he views as a competitive advantage for Tesla in a subsidy-free market.