EV policy takes back seat in Biden's State of the Union address

WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden's electric vehicle policies and broader climate agenda took a back seat in Thursday's State of the Union address, his last before the election in November.

Biden largely refrained from touting his administration's major legislative achievements that are aimed at accelerating EV adoption in the U.S. and establishing a battery supply chain here and with allies.

"I'm taking the most significant action ever on climate in the history of the world. I'm cutting our carbon emissions in half by 2030," Biden said, only briefly mentioning his administration's goal of building 500,000 public EV chargers.

Biden, who is seeking another four years in the Oval Office, faces multiple thorny issues that are dividing American voters, including the Israel-Hamas war, Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and concerns about competition with China.

The annual address arrives during a pivotal election year as Biden prepares for a rematch with ex-President Donald Trump, the likely GOP nominee after Republican challenger Nikki Haley ended her presidential campaign this week.

Issues related to trade, labor and the environment—including policies that could affect the transition to EVs in the U.S.—have reignited old conflicts between Biden and Trump.

Trump has repeatedly criticized Biden's EV policies, including the EPA's proposal to dramatically cut emissions in 2027-32 model-year cars and light trucks. The former president has argued the regulation would eliminate "at least 117,000 auto jobs" in the U.S., give an advantage to China and "spell the death of the U.S. auto industry."

Biden used part of his hourlong speech to focus on his support of auto workers, calling UAW President Shawn Fain "a great friend and a great labor leader."

Fain joined first lady Jill Biden as one of several guests at the president's address Thursday.

Biden in January won the endorsement of the UAW, a major boost for the Democratic incumbent who has labeled himself the "most pro-union president in history" as he tries to maintain support of working-class voters.

Having the backing of auto workers could play a big role in key battleground states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania, both of which voted for Trump in 2016 but narrowly supported Biden in 2020.

The UAW has cautioned the administration against moving too fast on EVs because of the potential impact on union jobs. However, the union has not been supportive of Trump, arguing that he serves the "billionaire class" and is unfriendly to labor.