A century-old electric car battle returns: Will history repeat itself under Trump?

Electric vehicles (EVs) charge at the Tesla center in Manila on January 20, 2025.

Long before Teslas and battery-powered SUVs became symbols of the future, electric cars were already popular in the early 1900s. Models like the Baker Electric Coupe and Riker Electric Roadster ran smoothly on U.S. roads, with electric taxis making up a third of New York’s fleet at one point. But as oil-based fuels became widely available and the Ford Model T offered a cheaper, longer-range alternative, battery cars began losing ground. By the mid-1930s, electric vehicles had almost completely vanished, overtaken by gas-powered cars and the rise of the oil industry, which was heavily supported by federal tax incentives.

The politics that powered gasoline — and sidelined EVs

In 1926, US lawmakers offered generous tax breaks to oil companies, letting them deduct 27.5% of their sales from taxable income. This helped cement gasoline’s dominance for decades. Today’s Republican leaders are taking similar steps — but in reverse. The Trump administration is pushing to eliminate tax credits for electric vehicles, impose a new annual fee of $250 on EV owners, and halt federal investment in EV charging infrastructure. The proposed changes could stall the industry’s momentum just as it's beginning to grow, the New York Times reported.

Infrastructure remains a key challenge — then and now

One of the main reasons electric cars failed a century ago was the lack of electricity in many parts of the country. Rural America wasn’t fully electrified until the 1970s. Today, the challenge lies in the lack of accessible charging infrastructure. US Congress approved $7.5 billion under the Biden administration to build public chargers, but the Trump administration has stopped that rollout. As in the past, range anxiety and slow charging times continue to hurt EV adoption, particularly in areas outside major cities.

From feminine to macho: The changing image of EVs

Early electric cars were marketed as clean, easy-to-use alternatives — often pitched to women. Jay Leno’s 1909 Baker Electric, still operable, includes space for Victorian hats and even features a built-in makeup case. That image of quiet refinement contributed to gendered stereotypes, which played a role in their decline. Today, the narrative has shifted. Critics like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene say EVs are an attempt to “emasculate” driving culture, while Elon Musk’s Tesla Cybertruck represents an attempt to rebrand EVs as powerful and masculine. Yet Musk’s political alignment with Trump may be alienating many of Tesla’s environmentally conscious customers.

EV sales are booming globally — but slowing in the U.S.

Electric vehicle sales grew by 35% in China and 25% in Europe during early 2025. But in the U.S., sales grew just 11%. Policy uncertainty and the rollback of federal support are dampening growth. Analysts warn that while the Republican proposals may not kill the EV sector, they could delay progress by years — especially with infrastructure expansion on hold.

Lessons from history: Technology isn’t always enough

Electric cars didn’t fail a century ago due to poor design — they were simply outmatched by lower costs, better fuelling options, and political bias toward oil. As historian Leslie Kendall notes, a Ford Model T cost one-third of what an electric car did in 1908. Carrying extra gas was easy; carrying extra electricity was not. Richard Riker, the grandson of electric car pioneer Andrew L. Riker, says the same issues remain today: until fast, widespread charging is available, gas will remain more convenient.

The future of EVs may again rest on political will

Despite the setbacks, Riker believes EVs can still win the race — if charging becomes quick and widespread. “If you can charge a car in five minutes and go 500 miles,” he said, “the gasoline engine is history.” But for that future to arrive, policy support may matter as much as innovation — just as it did a century ago.