In the key swing state of Michigan, Donald Trump’s critiques of electric vehicles (EVs) are resonating with voters like Doug, a longtime Warren resident and unionized Ford employee. Despite building electric cars, Doug, like many auto workers, is wary of purchasing one himself, fearing that the transition to EVs could result in widespread job losses within the industry. “It could definitely cost us our jobs, and it already has cost a lot of people their jobs,” Doug shared, voicing concerns that echo across Michigan’s automotive workforce. Doug, a former Democrat, represents the type of voter that Trump is targeting, while Kamala Harris works to regain their trust.
With the election looming, Trump has amplified fears that Harris and the Democrats want to eliminate gas-powered vehicles, a message that strikes a chord with Michigan voters wary of change. At a Detroit Economic Club event, Trump emphasized that United Automobile Workers president Shawn Fain’s support for “all-electric cars” is a threat to the auto industry, which he argues is losing its “whole business” due to electrification. Trump’s narrative is part of his broader economic appeal to working-class voters in Michigan, a group that played a significant role in his 2016 victory and remains critical to his 2024 campaign.
Harris, however, has pushed back against Trump’s claims. At a rally in Flint, Michigan, she sought to clarify her position, stating, “Contrary to what my opponent is suggesting, I will never tell you what kind of car you have to drive.” Although Harris once endorsed a plan to phase out petrol-powered cars during her 2019 presidential campaign, she has since reversed her stance, focusing instead on providing consumers with choices. “Michigan, let us be clear,” she continued, assuring voters that petrol cars would not be banned under her administration.
Despite these reassurances, some Michigan voters remain sceptical. Many fear that the push toward EVs could destabilize the state’s critical auto industry. Jonathan Hanson, a lecturer at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, notes that Trump’s attacks on EVs are part of a broader Republican narrative, suggesting that electrification will destroy the auto industry and result in significant job losses. This message, combined with rising costs of living and disillusionment with the Democratic Party, has led some former Democratic union workers to gravitate toward Trump’s campaign.
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Doug, for example, expressed frustration with the pressure to align with Democrats, noting that union leadership has made it difficult to support alternative viewpoints. “You must be a Democrat, or you’re exiled,” he said, echoing a sentiment shared by other disillusioned union workers in the state.
Trump’s criticism of electric vehicles is further complicated by his relationship with Tesla founder Elon Musk, one of the most prominent EV advocates. Musk, who has endorsed Trump, attended one of Trump’s rallies in Pennsylvania, raising questions about the former president’s stance on EVs, given Musk’s role in their popularization. However, Trump’s primary focus in Michigan remains the unionized auto workers, many of whom are concerned about the potential impact of EVs on their jobs.
Harris’s efforts to appeal to Michigan voters have been bolstered by key endorsements from labour groups, including the Teamsters union. However, despite these endorsements, Harris has struggled to gain widespread support from rank-and-file union members. Notably, for the first time in three decades, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters—America’s largest union—declined to endorse a presidential candidate, citing that a majority of its members support Trump.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, attempted to counter Trump’s narrative during a visit to Michigan, emphasizing that electrification is about providing options rather than enforcing mandates. “It should just be your choice. We need to make those choices affordable and available to people,” Walz said. He aimed Trump’s rhetoric, noting that nobody is forcing consumers to switch to electric vehicles and that traditional gas-powered cars would still have a place in the market. Walz even joked about his affinity for his old, gas-powered International Harvester Scout.
The challenge for Harris in Michigan lies in convincing voters that the push toward EVs will not come at the expense of their livelihoods. The Biden-Harris administration’s $1.7 billion investment to convert shuttered auto plants into EV manufacturing hubs has been met with mixed reactions in the state. While automakers have largely embraced the transition to EVs, recognizing it as an inevitable shift in the industry, the changes require significant investment in new infrastructure, particularly for battery production. General Motors, for instance, received $500 million to retrofit its Lansing factory for EV production, but many workers remain uncertain about the long-term benefits.
Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, has been vocal in his opposition to these investments, calling them “table scraps” compared to the potential job losses on the horizon. In a speech in Detroit, Vance warned that the shift to EVs would lead to significant layoffs in the auto industry, a message that resonates with workers anxious about the future of their jobs.
Kevin Moore, president of the Michigan Teamsters union, pushed back against Trump’s claims, calling the notion that electric vehicles will eliminate jobs a “bold-faced lie.” Moore emphasized that both gas-powered and electric vehicles could coexist in the market, and he expressed confidence that Michigan workers would not be swayed by Trump’s rhetoric. “They’re astute,” Moore said. “Donald Trump was a gold spoon-fed billionaire. [Harris] lived her life in middle-class America.”
As election day draws near, both Trump and Harris are working to win over Michigan’s crucial auto workers, a voting bloc that has historically leaned Democratic but has shown signs of shifting allegiance in recent years. The outcome in Michigan could play a decisive role in determining the next president, making the state’s auto industry and the future of electric vehicles a central issue in the 2024 campaign.
