Environment California would subsidize e-cars if Trump reverses course

California wants to counter the subsidy cuts for electric cars announced by Donald Trump with its own subsidy program. "We will intervene if the Trump administration abolishes the federal tax breaks," said Governor Newsom.

Should the Republican Trump abolish the 7500-dollar premium for electric cars after taking office in January as announced, California will reintroduce its former subsidy program for battery-powered vehicles, the Democratic-governed state announced.

The Californian program was in force until November 2023 and also provided for rebates of up to 7500 dollars for the purchase of an electric car.

Governor Gavin Newsom went on to say that California would not accept any setbacks on the road to a future with clean means of transportation. "We will make it more affordable for people to drive clean cars," announced the Democrat, who had declared himself the leader of the political resistance against climate denier Trump.

The state of California is leading the nation in the introduction of electric cars and is the largest market for this type of vehicle in the US. Around a third of all electric cars are sold in the state. One in four new cars purchased in California is an electric or hybrid vehicle, according to official state figures.

During the election campaign, Trump often spoke out against the promotion of electric cars and announced that he would expand the promotion of fossil fuels.

SDA