Affordable EV Push Faces Challenges as U.S. Falls Behind China

As vehicle prices continue to rise in the United States, industry observers are questioning whether the country can remain competitive in the global electric vehicle (EV) market, Tom Perkins reported for The Guardian.

Industry analysts say affordable electric vehicles will be critical to keeping the U.S. competitive in the global EV market. (Photo: Slate Auto Facebook)

One bright spot is Slate Auto, a Detroit-based startup backed by Jeff Bezos, which recently unveiled an electric pickup truck with a starting price of US$24,950—making it one of the least expensive new vehicles available in the U.S.

Even so, analysts say the United States risks falling behind China, where several manufacturers now offer electric vehicles priced at around US$10,000, helping fuel rapid global EV adoption.

Dan Krassner, executive director of the American EV Jobs Alliance, said the United States must expand affordable EV production or risk losing economic and strategic advantages.

Chinese-made vehicles accounted for about 20% of new car sales in the United Kingdom in December and approximately 6.4% of sales across the European Union last year despite higher tariffs.

Chinese electric vehicles are generally unavailable in the U.S. market because of trade restrictions and tariffs.

Krassner argued that electric vehicles represent one of the century's most important manufacturing opportunities.

"We can't hand the whole auto industry to Beijing. EVs are the big manufacturing prize of the century, and America has to get back in the race."