President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of electric vehicles during an August 5 speech in Las Vegas, where he mocked EV drivers while discussing his administration’s tax cuts agenda. The remarks followed a series of policy changes during his second term that rolled back federal support for electric vehicle adoption.
Trump Continues Criticism of Electric Vehicles
Trump has consistently opposed federal policies that promoted electric vehicle adoption. During his second term, his administration ended the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, relaxed EPA greenhouse gas and tailpipe standards that had encouraged automakers to expand electrification, and froze or reduced federal funding and approvals for expanding the nation’s fast-charging EV network.
Those policy changes have contributed to a significant slowdown in the U.S. electric vehicle market, according to the original report.
Remarks Focused on EV Drivers and Battery Concerns
Speaking at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas on August 5, Trump suggested that people who drive electric vehicles “have a disease,” without identifying it by name.
“You ever see the signs? You’re driving along in an electric car? They have a disease, you know, it’s a disease where it’s called, like, they get screwed up, they’re driving, and they realize their battery’s getting low and they start thinking about it when it’s three-quarters full, it loses a little bit and they say where am I gonna [charge]?”
The remarks appeared to refer to concerns about battery range and locating charging stations.
Trump also criticized EV owners later in the speech.
“And you’re driving down the highway and you’ll see a sign electric charging station with an arrow 89 miles to the right. These people are crazy.”
Comments on Oil and Gas Supplies
During the same speech, Trump also discussed oil and gas resources, stating that the United States possesses “60 percent of the world’s oil and gas, including Venezuela.”
The original report notes that Venezuela remains a sovereign nation under international law despite the January 2026 U.S. military intervention that led to the forced removal of President Nicolas Maduro. It also states that including Venezuela’s oil and gas reserves as part of those of the United States is a significant stretch.
Trump additionally said, “We have a thousand years of gasoline and it’s what people prefer.”
Gasoline Prices Cited During the Debate
As of early August, the U.S. national average price for regular gasoline was $4.06 per gallon, according to the AAA Gas Prices Report.
Trump’s latest remarks add to his longstanding criticism of electric vehicles and come after his administration implemented several policy changes affecting EV incentives, emissions standards, and charging infrastructure.
