Buttigieg Comments Auto Industry Change
A news article written by a FOX News employee this week mocked comments by US President Joe Biden’s Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The harsh statements came following news this week that electric vehicle (EV) sales have taken a dramatic hit this year.
The FOX News anchor asked Buttigieg about the major decline in EV sales in the first quarter of 2021. Tesla, the leading manufacturer of electric vehicles has recorded an 8.5% drop in sales compared to the same period last year. The company was also forced to lay off two-thirds of its workforce at its electric lighting plant and slow down production at a battery facility due to a significant decrease in demand.
Buttigieg’s response was to discredit the current decline in EV sales by comparing it to the evolution of cell phones. He implied that those who are not purchasing EVs now may face a similar fate to those who refused to switch to cell phones in the early 2000s. Republican strategist Matt Whitlock responded to Buttigieg’s statement: “This is the problem – Democrats think EVs are to gas-powered cars what cell phones were to landlines.”
Whitlock’s statement implies that EVs may be facing a similar crash to the now-infamous Fyre Fest. Political commentator Noam Blum also chimed in, criticizing Buttigieg’s argument by stating that cell phones had tangible benefits over landlines, unlike the current situation with EVs. Biden’s Transportation Secretary continued to defend EVs, stating that the automotive sector is moving towards them and “we can’t pretend otherwise.”
WATCH: Pete Buttigieg mocks Americans who don't want to be forced into buying electric vehicles:
"I feel like it's the early 2000s and I'm talking to some people who think that we can just have landline phones forever." pic.twitter.com/Pz28FEmfVQ
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) April 2, 2024
However, Democratic lawmakers seem to be disregarding the concerns of consumers who are not interested in purchasing EVs. According to Fox News contributor Joe Concha, the average cost of an electric vehicle is significantly higher than a gas-powered car or even the cost of owning a landline phone in the early 2000s.
Even with government incentives, purchasing an EV can be a major expense for the average American. This may be one of the reasons why sales have been declining, especially during the pandemic when many are facing financial hardships. Ironically, President Biden has set a target of 50% of all vehicle sales to be electric by the year 2030. This seems like an unrealistic goal considering current market trends.
Despite the government’s efforts to push consumers towards electric vehicles, it seems that the majority are not convinced. The high cost, as well as concerns about charging infrastructure and range, could be contributing factors to the decline in sales. Additionally, consumers may not be ready to switch to a new type of vehicle, especially if they are not convinced of its benefits.
It is clear that the government has a strong interest in promoting electric vehicles, but it is also important to listen to the concerns of consumers who are not ready to make the switch. The comparison of EVs to the evolution of cell phones may not be an accurate one, as cell phones have clear advantages over landlines. It remains to be seen if EVs can convince consumers of their benefits and meet the ambitious targets set by the Biden administration.