Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg clashed with a CBS anchor on the Biden administration's push for electric vehicles, as former President Trump denounced the spending on a car "nobody wants."
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg faced off with CBS anchor Margaret Brennen in a heated exchange over the Biden administration's ambitious electric vehicle (EV) agenda. The confrontation erupted after former President Donald Trump criticized the administration's spending billions of dollars on an unpopular car.
"You notice he's trying to save the electric vehicle but not the gas-powered which is the vehicle everybody wants. They're going crazy with the electric car, costing us a fortune. We're spending hundreds of billions of dollars subsidizing a car nobody wants and nobody is ever going to buy," Trump said.
Buttigieg vehemently defended the federal investment in EV infrastructure, arguing that Trump's claims were inaccurate. "He's wrong," Buttigieg retorted. "Every single year more Americans buy EVs than the year before."
Brennen pressed Buttigieg on the slow progress in constructing EV charging stations across the country, citing the Federal Highway Administration's report that only seven or eight charging stations have been built despite a $7.5 billion investment.
"Why isn't that happening more quickly?" Brennen asked.
Buttigieg acknowledged the challenges in deploying EV charging infrastructure, but emphasized the administration's commitment to installing 500,000 chargers by the end of the decade. He explained that the construction process involved extensive utility work and that federal funding was necessary to fill gaps in areas where private investment was not yet feasible.
Brennen interjected with amusement, "Seven or eight though?"
Undeterred, Buttigieg reiterated the administration's goal, adding that the initial installations represented the nascent stages of a long-term construction project.
The exchange highlighted the differing perspectives on the role of electric vehicles in the future of transportation. While the Biden administration views EVs as a crucial component in combating climate change and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, critics argue that the technology is still too expensive and impractical for widespread adoption.
A recent Gallup poll revealed a declining interest in EVs among Americans, with only 9% "seriously considering" purchasing one. However, the Biden administration remains steadfast in its commitment to promote EV adoption through regulations and incentives.
President Joe Biden has set a goal of ensuring that 50% of car purchases are electric by 2030. The administration has finalized stricter emission regulations and invested heavily in EV infrastructure to achieve this target.
Despite the contentious debate over EVs, the administration maintains that the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system is essential for the future. Buttigieg's defense of the administration's agenda suggests that the government will continue to play a leading role in fostering the growth of the EV industry.
