Biden’s electric car push is blasted as ‘overly optimistic’ by leading automakers

President Joe Biden’s push for electric cars is doomed to failure because it “underestimates” key challenges, such as cost to consumers, two of the world’s largest automakers have said.

The White House has set a goal that two-thirds of new car sales should be electric by 2032.

But in comments submitted to the federal government, Toyota and Stellantis – owner of Vauxhall – called the plan “overly optimistic” due to inadequate charging infrastructure and high prices.

It comes after Dailymail.com revealed it could take up to a decade to break even on an electric car – which is more expensive to buy, but supposedly cheaper to run.

And separately a recent report of Cox AutomotiveHe discovered that while interest in electric vehicles was high, sales were declining.

Tom Stricker, vice chairman of the Toyota group, said that while the company “shares the goal of reducing carbon as quickly as possible,” the current target is not achievable.

He wrote, “The proposed rule underestimates key challenges, including the scarcity of minerals to make batteries, the fact that these minerals are not mined or refined in the US, the inadequate infrastructure, and the high cost of battery electric vehicles.”

Stricker added: “Automakers need time to invest in electric car and battery production capacity, develop charging infrastructure across the country and mature the market.”

He added that the policy discriminates against plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Meanwhile, Stellantis said the rule “significantly underestimates” the complexity of building a viable EV market.

Biden’s race for mass adoption of electric vehicles has been a cornerstone of his administration’s policies.

The Treasury has already introduced a new federal tax cut that gives motorists up to $7,500 off when they buy an electric vehicle. And last, it pledged to invest $2 billion in accelerating domestic electric car production.

But vehicle pollution standards – introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – go one step further by limiting the emissions that cars can produce,

It will apply to all car models in 2027 and beyond.

To meet the restrictions, the EPA estimates EVs must account for 67 percent of new light vehicle sales and 46 percent of new medium vehicle sales by 2032.

The proposal surpasses Biden’s previous goal of making half of new passenger cars and light trucks zero-emission by the end of the decade.

Today, electric vehicles and plug-in hubris represent just 8 percent of the market, according to a report from Cox Automotive.

Researchers said a “broad gap” was developing between outward excitement about electric cars and actual sales generated.

In addition, the automotive industry is pointing out that there are currently not enough EV charging points or infrastructure to meet demand.

This week, attorney generals in Kentucky and West Virginia led more than 20 states in public commentary condemning the Biden administration for its “illegitimate, ill-advised and untenable” proposed rule.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey told Fox News digital: “This is an attack on rural America and the rural Americans who work very hard to make ends meet and who will be clubbed by this rule.”

Figures from auto shop site Edmunds, the average cost of a new gas car was $47,892 in May. By comparison, a typical electric car costs $65,381 — or about $18,000 more expensive.

Electric cars are usually attractive to buyers because they should save you money in the long run thanks to cheaper electricity costs and certain tax schemes.

But an official Dailymail.com analysis found that it could take up to a decade for a motorist to even break even on their purchase.

Dailymail.com reached out to the White House for comment.