Can Elon Musk change Trump’s mind about EVs?

This past week we’ve seen yet another twist in the Elon saga. He announced he’ll be donating $45M/month and ~$200M total to Trump’s reelection efforts.

How might this news impact how the former President think about an EV future? EV Politics Project CEO, Mike Murphy, offers his thoughts in this Fast Company article based on some of our recent polling:

“One of the greatest secrets is the massive increase in American manufacturing jobs connected to this,” says Murphy.

“Right now, Republicans are much less likely to say they want to buy an EV. Elon Musk could play a role in changing consumers’ opinions, not just Trump’s. In a survey, the EV Politics Project found that around 60% of Republicans said that Musk was a good ambassador for EVs. Around two-thirds of people who believe climate change is “overhyped” also thought Musk was a good ambassador for EVs.

Mike also warns of the consequences of pulling back from an EV future,

 “We would look back in 10 years and rue the day that we had an administration that decided to try to sabotage American production versus the Chinese who are going whole hog to basically get 90% or more of auto manufacturing in the next 15 years on their doors. I think we’re going look back and that’ll be the biggest industrial policy fiasco of American history if we allow that to happen.”