‘Car lover’ Biden touts electric car at Detroit auto show

Washington – president Joe Bidenthe “car man” with his own vintage Corvette showcased his administration’s efforts to promote Electric car during Wednesday’s visit Detroit auto show.

Biden went to the big North American International Auto Show and plugged in Enormous New Climate, Tax, and Health Laws Provides tax incentives for purchasing electric vehicles. On the floor of the closed convention center, he toured American-made hybrids, electric vehicles and internal combustion engines from Chevrolet, General Motors, Ford and Stellatis and greeted union members, CEOs and local leaders. did.

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“You know I’m a car fanatic,” Biden said, adding that while cars give me a sense of optimism, I also like speed.

While Biden takes credit Recent Electric Vehicle Battery Boom and Announcement of Assembly Plants, most of which were in the works long before the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on August 16. Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Act may have something to do with it — it provides $5 billion Spent more than five years helping states build networks of EV charging stations.

In Detroit, Biden announced the approval of the first $900 million in infrastructure funding. Building EV Chargers Across 53,000 Miles of the 34 states and Puerto Rico’s national highway system.

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“America’s great expedition will be fully electric,” Biden said.

He also highlighted legislative funding to support infrastructure projects across Detroit and Michigan.

“When you see these big projects in your hometown,” Biden said, “I want you to feel as proud as I feel. Be proud of what we can do when we do it together.” please give me.”

The president credited the National Autoworkers and other unions for supporting him in the 2020 bid for the White House. He called the union members “the most skilled” in the country.

“The middle class built America, the unions built the middle class,” Biden said.

He also devoted time to party politics. He praised Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who will be re-elected in November, calling him a “great governor” who made the most of federal resources for the state. motion.

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During a tour of the convention center floor, the Democratic president recently test-driven a pine green 1967 Stingray with Jay Leno on CNBC’s “Jay Leno’s Garage” corner and hopped into the driver’s seat of a bright orange Chevrolet Corvette. I was. The Z06 — which starts at $106,000 and isn’t an EV — got the engine started with his CEO at GM, Mary Barra.

“He says he’s driving home,” she joked.

Biden then toured the new electric Ford Mustang Mach E and marveled at the model’s performance with Ford Chairman Bill Ford. “The speed is amazing,” Biden said, adding, “Do you have a launch button?” He also explored lesser-known vehicles such as Ford’s all-electric E-Transit his van and his F-150 truck.

Mr. Biden finally got behind the wheel of Cadillac Lyrik’s all-electric SUV (starting at $63,000) for a short run down the aisles of the blue-carpeted hall. For the president, who often travels in public in the armored vehicles of his service, it was a rare opportunity to drive, albeit at a walking pace.

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“I’ll pop in and drive you to Washington,” he joked to reporters. “It’s a beautiful car,” he said, “but I love Corvettes.”

Under new law, electric vehicles must be built in North America to qualify Federal tax credit up to $7,500Batteries for covered vehicles must also be manufactured in North America, and battery minerals must be produced or recycled on the continent. The credit aims to build the U.S. electric vehicle supply chain and end its dependence on other countries, especially China.

The passage of the bill has spurred automakers to accelerate efforts to find North American batteries and battery minerals from the United States, Canada, or Mexico to ensure their EVs qualify for credit.

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In April, Ford began building electric pickup trucks at a new plant in Michigan. General Motors has converted an old factory in Detroit to make electric Hummers and pickups.

The companies announced three EV battery factories long before the legislature reached a compromise on the bill. These are all joint ventures with battery manufacturers. GM’s battery plant in Warren, Ohio has already started production. A government loan announced in July will help GM build a battery plant.

Ford announced last September that its Tennessee plant would build next-generation electric pickups, while GM announced an EV assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan. Spring Hill, Tennessee. and Orion Township, Michigan. In May, former Fiat Chrysler Sterantis announced plans to build another joint venture battery plant in Indiana, and a battery plant in Canada.

Hyundai announced in May that it would build a battery and assembly plant in Georgia, while Vietnamese automaker VinFast announced in July that it would build a plant in North Carolina. Honda and Toyota announced their U.S. battery plants after the law passed, but they’ve been planning for months.

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Biden has long spoken about the importance of building a domestic EV supply chain. That may have prompted some companies to build factories in the United States. Shipping from overseas is heavy and expensive.

and car companies Deployment of more affordable electrical options Despite the battery cost. The latest came out last week from General Motors, the Chevrolet Equinox small SUV. Prices start at around $30,000, and range is 250 miles (400 kilometers) on a single charge. Buyers can get 300 miles or 500 kilometers of range for an additional fee.

Equinox checks assembly boxes in North America. Made in Mexico. The company has not disclosed where the batteries will be manufactured, but it is working to meet other criteria to qualify for the tax credit.

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Christian Meunier, CEO of Stellantis’ Jeep brand, says it will cost more than government funding to build enough charging stations to allay public fears about electric vehicles running out of power. . But the funds announced by Biden should bring in more private investment, he said.

“It’s gaining momentum. There will be a business case for private companies to invest more,” Meunier said on the auto show floor. “It’s going to grow exponentially.”

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Krisher reported from Detroit. Contributed by his AP writer Zeke Miller in Washington.