As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take the reins in January, his administration’s early signals on energy policy have sparked outrage in California’s leftist leadership. Governor Gavin Newsom, ever eager to position himself as a 2028 Democratic contender, is drawing battle lines over Trump’s reported plans to eliminate federal tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs).

At issue is the $7,500 tax credit introduced under President Biden, a cornerstone of his administration’s push for green energy adoption. Trump’s potential decision to axe the credit has sent shockwaves through California, where the progressive agenda hinges on aggressive climate policies and subsidies for “clean” energy initiatives.

In a recent press release, Newsom touted California’s self-proclaimed leadership in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption, celebrating the milestone of 2 million ZEVs sold statewide. “Consumers continue to prove the skeptics wrong – zero-emission vehicles are here to stay,” Newsom declared, adding a warning to Trump: “We will intervene if the federal tax credit is eliminated.”

California’s Subsidy Plan: More Taxpayer Burdens

Newsom isn’t just talking tough; he’s promising to resurrect the state’s *Clean Vehicle Rebate Program* (CVRP), phased out in 2023. Under this program, California funded nearly 600,000 ZEV purchases using taxpayer dollars, claiming to have saved 456 million gallons of fuel. If Trump eliminates the federal incentive, Newsom plans to tap into California’s *Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund,* fueled by the state’s controversial cap-and-trade program.

While Newsom frames the plan as a win for “clean air” and “green jobs,” critics see it as another example of California’s heavy-handed taxation policies subsidizing costly green experiments.

EVs: The Darling of California’s Climate Agenda

California has aggressively promoted EVs, with ZEVs accounting for over 26% of new vehicle sales in the state during the third quarter of 2024. Newsom’s administration has invested heavily in building out charging networks, proclaiming EV adoption as a pillar of the state’s “clean transportation future.”

In the press release, Newsom boasted that the state is advancing a broader agenda that includes clean fuel production, rail infrastructure, and a “smarter” electric grid. But skeptics point out the glaring inefficiencies and logistical hurdles of the state’s EV push, not to mention its reliance on taxpayer dollars to prop up the market.

Trump’s Bold Energy Vision

Newsom’s crusade underscores the larger battle brewing between California’s progressive climate policies and the Trump administration’s vision for American energy independence. Trump’s move to end the EV tax credit signals a rejection of subsidies that critics argue distort markets and favor elites over working-class Americans.

Sky-high EV prices have long raised questions about who benefits from such subsidies. With many Americans priced out of the market for EVs, Trump’s approach resonates with those who see green energy initiatives as more about virtue signaling than practical solutions.

The Road Ahead

Newsom’s rhetoric paints his opposition to Trump’s policy as a defense of “clean transportation” and “affordable” EVs. But as California’s taxpayers brace for another round of subsidies, many are asking whether the state can afford to continue footing the bill for Newsom’s green ambitions.

Once again, California stands poised to lead the resistance against federal policy—but at what cost to its own residents?