Kamala Harris addresses electric vehicle policies during Michigan campaign stop

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Vice President Kamala Harris, campaigning in Michigan, clarified her stance on electric vehicles, responding to claims made by her political opponents. Speaking in Flint, Harris emphasized that she would not dictate which cars Americans can drive, stating, "Contrary to what my opponent is suggesting, I will never tell you what kind of car you have to drive."

However, as a senator in 2019, Harris co-sponsored the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, which aimed to amend the Clean Air Act to require that half of all new cars sold by 2030 be electric, increasing to 100% by 2040. Although the bill did not pass, similar goals have been pursued by the Biden administration, which introduced regulations mandating that 50% of new vehicles be electric by 2030 and 67% by 2032.

The push for electric vehicles has sparked concerns from some voters, including those in Michigan, where the automotive industry plays a significant role. Many are skeptical about the infrastructure required to support a nationwide transition to electric vehicles. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 59% of U.S. adults oppose phasing out gas-powered cars by 2035.

Despite facing these challenges, the Biden administration has allocated $7.5 billion for electric vehicle infrastructure. Harris continues to support policies that encourage the transition to electric vehicles, though her campaign has not commented on whether she still backs the 2019 bill.