Summary
- Kamala Harris opposes her past support for an electric car mandate, claiming she does not support it now
- In 2019, Harris co-sponsored a bill for an EV mandate for automakers
- Harris is pretending to be a moderate in the 2024 campaign, despite her past liberal policies
- The market demand for EVs has fallen, as drivers face challenges with owning electric cars
- Automakers like Ford have canceled plans to expand their EV model lineup
Article
Kamala Harris has recently come out against a potential electric car mandate, a policy she openly supported in 2019. This reversal is part of a larger trend of Harris distancing herself from her past policy proposals as she runs for president in 2024. Despite being rated as the most liberal US Senator, Harris and her campaign are now trying to portray her as a middle-of-the-road moderate, rather than the progressive she truly is.
The idea of an electric car mandate has been criticized as unrealistic, as the current public charging infrastructure is not equipped to support widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Even in states like California, where EVs are more popular, there are still significant challenges to overcome. In addition, studies have shown that EVs may not necessarily be better for emissions and the environment compared to internal combustion engines.
As more EVs hit the roads, demand for these vehicles has been falling, with automakers scaling back their plans for expanded model lineups. Ford and other manufacturers have even canceled some of their EV plans in response to market trends. This shift in demand indicates that the market does not support the type of policies that Harris has previously advocated for, further highlighting the disconnect between her beliefs and the realities of the automotive industry.
Despite her past support for an electric car mandate, the Harris campaign now claims that she does not endorse such a policy. This change in position has been met with skepticism, as it is seen as a strategic move to appeal to a broader range of voters. By distancing herself from more extreme policies, Harris is trying to position herself as a more moderate candidate in order to avoid a blowout loss in the upcoming election.
The inconsistency in Harris’ stance on this issue has been pointed out by media outlets, with Axios reporting on the lack of clarity from the Harris campaign regarding her position on the bill she co-sponsored in 2019. This lack of transparency and coherence in her policy proposals has been a common theme throughout her campaign, raising questions about the credibility of her platform. As the election approaches, Harris will need to clarify her positions and reconcile her past support for controversial policies with her current stance as a supposed moderate candidate.
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