Drivers who do not want to buy an electric vehicle have the same sentiment as those in the early 2000s, according to a member of Joe Biden’s Cabinet.
United States Secretary of State for Transportation Pete Buttigieg spoke about the uptake of electric vehicles in the US and criticised the sentiment around EVs.
The former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, spoke of the need for the Government and automotive manufacturers to support electric vehicles to slash emissions and move towards lofty net zero goals.
Speaking to Fox News, Buttigieg explained: “Well let’s be clear, consumers have wanted and purchased more EVs every single year than the year before.
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Buttigieg has been supportive of EVs
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“Tesla is facing more competition as GM and Ford and Stellantis and other competitive players start to make sure they get a piece of the EV market.
“The automotive sector is moving towards EVs and we can’t pretend otherwise.
“Sometimes when these debates happen, I feel like it’s the early 2000s and I’m talking to some people who think that we can just have landline phones forever.”
He issued a stark warning to manufacturers and drivers that the United States could fall behind China unless it ramps up production and uptake of EVs.
President Biden has been supportive of electric cars, saying that he wants to make sure the cars driven in the United States are made on American soil.
This is especially important given the rising levels of US drivers choosing an electric vehicle over returning to a petrol or diesel car.
According to S&P Global Mobility, electric vehicle sales in the United States grew by an impressive 52 per cent last year, with around one million EVs produced in 2023.
To help drivers make the transition to electric cars, the data company stated that more automotive companies were making hybrid vehicles available, further strengthening the market.
Nearly 80 new vehicles are set to launch in the United States this year, although this will include both electric and ICE vehicles.
Buttigieg continued, saying: “We’ve got to make sure those are made on American soil in places like northern Indiana where I grew up, places like Michigan where I live right now.
“During the Trump administration, China was really able to build an advantage in the EV market.
“Obviously not because they’re big environmentalists over in China, just because it’s the economically smart play.
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More than one million electric vehicles were sold in the US last year
PA“We’ve been working to make sure that advantage comes back to American soil.”