Trump’s Opposition to Electric Vehicles and High-Speed Rail: Advocating for Gasoline Cars to Make America Great Again

Donald Trump has blocked electric vehicle charging stations and halted the construction of high-speed rail, insisting that gasoline-powered cars are essential to “Make America Great Again.” Recently, Trump was sued by 16 states for withholding approximately $3 billion in funding intended for the development of electric vehicle charging stations. This action, taken in February, involved an executive order from Trump that halted state electric vehicle charging initiatives and rescinded funding approvals. Furthermore, he has also denied funding for California’s high-speed rail project.

For Trump, electric vehicles and high-speed rail are seen as obstacles to the “MAGA” movement, with only gasoline-powered vehicles deemed capable of “making America great again.” His supporters, primarily farmers and blue-collar workers, are resistant to environmental policies, favoring larger vehicles and taking pride in them. The concept of building charging stations and high-speed rail in America is seen as almost fantastical.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, as of April 2025, there are approximately 200,000 public charging ports nationwide, servicing over 4 million electric vehicles. This translates to just one public charging port for every 20 electric vehicles, which is insufficient to meet demand. It’s worth noting that these 200,000 ports are not the result of the federal “NEVI” program (the charging station initiative promoted by Biden), but largely stem from private companies like Tesla and state government projects.

When Biden initiated the “NEVI” program, it had an ambitious initial investment of $5 billion, but by mid-2024, only seven federally standardized charging stations had been established. Biden‘s Energy Secretary, Jennifer Granholm, once demonstrated electric vehicle travel across states, but faced issues in Georgia when charging stations were occupied by gasoline vehicles. Even more absurdly, a video circulated on social media showing a diesel generator being used to charge an electric vehicle.

Now, with Trump back in the picture, he is directly blocking the construction of charging stations and denying funds for California’s high-speed rail, effectively preventing Americans from transitioning to electric vehicles and forcing them to continue using gasoline cars. But why promote gasoline vehicles? Trump‘s push for gasoline cars isn’t out of a genuine affection for them; instead, these vehicles symbolize the “MAGA” ideology. The American automotive industry, particularly trucks and larger vehicles, has long represented American manufacturing, especially in areas like Detroit, and Trump has consistently urged companies such as Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler to bring their factories and jobs back to the U.S.

Promoting gasoline vehicles serves to retain jobs while satisfying his supporters, who view driving large gasoline vehicles as a symbol of masculinity and working-class identity, rebelling against urban lifestyles characterized by small electric cars. This sentiment reflects a nostalgic yearning for the “Old America,” where blue-collar fathers would take their children out in trucks or teach them car repair in the garage.

In addition, Trump aims to fulfill his energy promises by advocating for the extraction of fossil fuels. Many of Trump‘s financial backers are involved in oil extraction, which has led them to support him when unable to persuade progressive Democrats to alter energy policies. Trump has aligned himself with conservative factions, taking an entirely opposite stance from DEI and environmental initiatives. Ultimately, it comes down to issues of interest distribution; Trump opposes everything from deep-state government to the “Black Lives Matter” movement, including electric vehicles and high-speed rail, simply because he sees no personal profit in them. If he cannot benefit, he will oppose them without hesitation.