According to Reuters, on the day of his inauguration, US President Donald Trump immediately targeted electric vehicles by canceling a decree signed by his predecessor.
In the new decree, Mr. Trump announced that he would stop allocating unused government funds to electric vehicle charging stations, calling for an end to exemptions for states that apply zero-emission vehicle regulations by 2035. The US president also said that his administration will consider ending tax incentives for electric vehicles.
Trump's plan is to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review capital regulations that require stricter emissions, forcing automakers to sell 30%-56% of electric vehicles by 2032 to comply with federal regulations on emissions, as well as similar regulations issued by the US Department of Transport (DOT).
Trump said in the decree that he would seek to lift an EPA exemption granted to California in December, allowing the state to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035. The regulation has been applied by 11 other states.
Trump has previously said he could take other measures against electric vehicles, including finding a way to lift a tax incentive of up to $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for first-time conversion of used cars.
During his election campaign, Trump also promised to increase oil production in the US, even when production levels have reached record levels. He also wants to erase his predecessors' clean energy initiatives, including subsidies for wind power, solar power and hydrogen production.
