GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — U.S. Department of Energy Secretary and former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm traveled to Michigan Tuesday to highlight what she feels are transformative steps taken by President Joe Biden's administration to encourage clean energy.
"It is a shift toward a future powered by clean energy, with advanced products stamped 'Made in America,' built and installed with American workers and proud American communities," Granholm said as she spoke at the LG Energy Solution plant in Holland. "[It's] a transformation in which innovation is inevitable, investment in America is irresistible and no American feels invisible."
Among other efforts, the Biden administration has moved to transition the automotive industry toward larger shares of electric vehicles, just as the battery plant Granholm visited in Holland is working to expand its operations.
"[Biden] delivered then and he's delivering now, because fast forward to today - this plant is more than 1000 workers strong, one the largest employers in Holland and now you're expanding," Granholm said.
But federal efforts meant to expand the manufacturing and sales of EVs haven't been without resistance.
The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFMP) has begun running ads in Michigan, among other places, to push back on efforts including a newly finalized EPA rule that would impose stricter emissions guidelines for some vehicles made in Model Year 2027 and beyond.
"This can get turned around, we need people to weigh in," AFMP President and CEO Chet Thompson said.
Thompson said that while AFMP supports electric vehicles, it does not support how the administration is, in their view, limiting choices.
"We're hoping to convince the administration to change course on its own, but, certainly, legal action is, you know, a real possibility," Thompson said.
Another consideration for some is the cost.
According to August 2023 data from Kelley Blue Book that was released in a report by its parent company Cox Automotive, the average transaction price for a new vehicle sat at $48,451 at that time.
The average price paid for an EV at that time, the report found, sat at over $53,376.
But Granholm Tuesday expressed optimism over the path envisioned by her team and President Biden.
"Pricing of electric vehicles, the newer models - especially the ones that are more affordable - are on par with internal combustion engines," Granholm said.
"The projections are- last year we sold, there were about 1.4 million electric vehicles sold," Granholm said. "The projection is this year will be about 1.8. So, it is happening. This is happening."
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