How Trump’s war on EVs derailed America’s auto-factory revival
Since Trump returned to office, an array of automotive, environmental, trade and immigration policies has undermined factory projects and employment.
On a Friday afternoon in May, three men gathered on folding chairs inside Lordstown's local United Auto Workers hall. They were out of work for the entire year, as the massive battery plant they once operated closed its doors in January due to sluggish electric-vehicle sales. The joint venture behind the factory, Ultium Cells, laid off approximately 480 employees indefinitely, informing the remaining 850 factory workers that they would not be needed for several months.
This announcement followed the U.S. President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans' decision to abolish a $7,500 tax credit aimed at boosting consumer demand for electric vehicles, which subsequently led to a decline in U.S. EV sales. The layoffs came as a crushing blow after the factory's opening four years prior, recalled Steve Baier, one of the workers spending time in the union hall.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
