Is President Trump the Accidental EV President, as well as the Accidental Clean Energy President?

The Trump administration has fought tirelessly for a world in which gas cars regain dominance. It has killed consumer tax credits, eliminated incentives for domestic manufacturing, and imposed tariffs that have driven up industry costs.

But now, with his recent actions in the Middle East, President Trump is showing the world why EVs are more relevant than ever.

With the ongoing war in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz still closed, fuel prices are continuing to climb. Americans are now paying an average of $3.98 at the pump—and in some states, like California, that number is already up to $6.

It’s a high price to pay for a war most people don’t support—especially in the context of America’s broader affordability crisis—and it’s opening more and more people’s eyes to the benefits of EV ownership. There’s a reason why searches for clean vehicles are way up on car-buying platforms.

But increased consumer interest isn’t the only wind at the industry’s back right now.

The Inflation Reduction Act’s clean vehicle tax credits helped drive a sharp increase in EV leasing and purchasing. Now, a little over three years since their establishment, hundreds of thousands of those EVs are coming off lease—and that means a massive wave of affordable, lightly used cars is about to flood the market. It’s a major opportunity for Americans who have been wanting to make the shift.

And President Trump’s actions are making the case for EVs globally, as well.

From Japan and Singapore to India and Australia, more and more nations are realizing that EV ownership is a powerful shield against fossil fuel volatility and future price shocks. But no market is expected to see a bigger shift than Canada, which recently opened the door to Chinese EVs by slashing tariffs from 100% to 6.1%. BYD has already arranged to establish 20 dealerships across the country this year.

This is a historic window of opportunity. Let’s seize this moment and do what we can to accelerate the transition to clean vehicles!