New Michigan EV poll raises tough questions for US Reps. Tom Barrett, John James

Lansing, Mich. – As the Mackinac Policy Conference gets underway, a new poll published today by The Detroit News demonstrates that U.S. Reps. Tom Barrett and John James are wildly out of touch with Michiganders on our state’s electric vehicle future. Both should be asked directly why they voted last week for a federal budget reconciliation bill that will crush Michigan’s ability to compete with China for the future of EV manufacturing.

According to a survey commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber and conducted last month by Glengariff Group, voters across the state were asked a series of questions about the future of electric vehicle manufacturing in Michigan amid competition from China.

When voters were asked if it would help, hurt or have no impact on Michigan’s economy if China became the world leader in electric vehicle manufacturing, 65% of voters said it would hurt Michigan’s economy, while just 22% of voters said it would have no impact on Michigan’s economy. A majority of every demographic group across the political spectrum said it would hurt Michigan’s economy to let China become the world leader in electric vehicle manufacturing.

Yet Tom Barrett and John James both voted in favor of repealing federal clean energy tax credits and grants that are driving Michigan’s electric vehicle future and our ability to compete and win in the global automotive marketplace. Both lawmakers’ votes directly threaten $39.85 billion in clean energy investment and 25,357 good-paying clean energy jobs in Michigan by repealing the clean energy tax credits of 2022.

Under the extreme federal budget reconciliation bill now pending in the U.S. Senate, the clean vehicle tax credit will be eliminated by the end of this year, making it far more costly for Michigan residents to purchase an electric vehicle, which will have a negative impact on demand for the vehicles.

The reconciliation bill also claws back a $500 million federal grant that would have helped General Motors retool the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant for EV production. The grant would have saved 650 jobs and created 50 new jobs at the facility in Barrett’s district.

This comes despite Rep. James arguing in January that “we must not neglect the sector-wide energy tax provisions that manufacturers and job creators rely on in my district and around the country.” But, when it counted, with a deciding vote in his hands, Rep. James put corporate giveaways ahead of Michigan workers, manufacturers and families.

###