Where the candidates stand on EVs, climate science, and more

On November 5, 2024, voters will head to the polls to decide on the forty seventh President of the US. To explain this election as unprecedented perhaps sells it short. In no other election up to now century have the stakes been so high for the automotive industry—and on a better plane, for climate science and for democracy itself. With the 2 major-party candidates set to square off in a debate, it is time to examine their past, present, and future—and their qualifications to change into our next leader.

How can I watch the presidential debate on June 27, 2024?

On June 27, 2024, the major-party candidates will debate in Atlanta. The debate might be hosted by CNN and might be aired continue to exist that network and streamed on its website. The 90-minute debate also might be carried by other major news networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and News, and might be streamed on YouTube and dozens of other services. 

With a view to qualify for the talk, candidates needed to earn not less than 15% of interest from those polled in 4 national polls of registered or likely voters—a listing vetted by the news network. In addition they would must appear on enough state ballots to have a legitimate likelihood to earn 270 electoral votes, the minimum required to be elected President without the election being decided by the House of Representatives.

There might be no studio audience in Atlanta, and in a algorithm written by the network and agreed to by the candidates, microphones might be coordinated to attenuate candidates speaking over others’ response times. It begins at 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, and might be moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Only two candidates have qualified for this debate: President Joseph Biden and former president Donald Trump.

Here’s where all the candidates stand on the problems above—first, the major-party candidates, then others, in alphabetical order:

President Joseph R. Biden

Party: Democratic

Vice President: Kamala Harris (since 2021)

Experience

• Vice President, 2009-2017
• U.S. Senator from Delaware, 1973-2009
• Former Presidential candidate, 1988 election (dropped out of the race in 1987)

Policy and positions

Climate science: Biden successfully campaigned for and implemented a large infrastructure bill that vastly increased public support for electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and climate-change mitigation. But while the Biden administration has pushed hard for tough recent standards that ought to reduce the consequences of carbon pollution, it also has presided over massive increases in domestic oil production.

Electric vehicles: The Biden administration has needed to dial back its hopes for stringent recent EPA fuel-economy standards, though those on account of change into law in the subsequent decade are still expected to stimulate demand for electric vehicles in addition to for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Biden has also been a highly visible advocate for brand spanking new EVs, taking rides within the GMC Hummer EV and inadvertently suggesting that an electrical Corvette is on the best way (he owns a classic model of the sports automobile). 

Democracy: President Biden has voiced support for various voting-rights actions including the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which might ease access to mail-in balloting, make Election Day a federal holiday, and would supplant measures invalidated by the Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby decision. The Shelby decision gutted the standards for voter redistricting in states that had been under Federal Election Commission oversight. Biden has laid out his opinion of his predecessor in stark terms: for his culpability for the events of January sixth, 2021, the previous president, Biden says, stays a threat to democracy.

President Donald Trump (Photo courtesy DoD)

Donald J. Trump

Party: Republican

Vice President: Yet to be named

Experience

• Former President, 2017-2021

Policy and positions

Climate science: Trump told major oil-industry donors at a recent fundraiser at his Mar-A-Lago resort that, were they to donate $1 billion to his campaign, that he would gut all the current administration’s actions that will boost the sales of electrical vehicles. During his administration, Trump attempted to revoke California’s authority to set its own emissions standards, part of a bigger campaign involving Supreme Court cases that will diminish or disrupt the work of agencies akin to the EPA, the so-called administrative state. He has deemed climate change to be “a hoax.”

Electric vehicles: Though he once owned a Tesla Model S, former president Trump has repeatedly voiced disdain for electric vehicles: he has threatened to levy a 100% tariff on Mexico-made EVs, which might slam the brakes on a bunch of popular EVs sold within the U.S., including the Chevrolet Equinox EV and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Democracy: The previous president has been charged with a spread of crimes in connection to plots to disrupt the transfer of power after the November 2020 election, which he lost to Joseph Biden. Each the criminal trial on charges filed within the District of Columbia, and that filed in Georgia for state-related election interference, have been delayed while the Supreme Court debates whether U.S. presidents enjoy complete or partial immunity for crimes committed while in office.

In unrelated cases, Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in Latest York State, in relation to hush-money payments made to adult actor Stormy Daniels. Prior to that, he was held responsible for the sexual abuse of E. Jean Carroll and for asset inflation in Latest York that resulted in a $450 million civil penalty.

Trump also faces charges that he mishandled classified documents in a Florida court. No trial date has been set.

A bunch of Trump Cabinet members have indicated that they are going to not vote for him for a second term—as has former Vice President Michael Pence (R.-Ind.).

Other Candidates

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Party: Independent

Vice President: Nicole Shanahan

Experience

• Attorney and talk-radio host
• Founded clean-water advocacy group Waterkeeper Alliance
• Boosted Kid’s Health Defense Fund into its current place because the distinguished anti-vaccine advocacy group

Policy and positions

Climate science: As a lawyer, Politico points out, Kennedy served clients who sued for stronger environmental protections. As a candidate, he has criticized the Biden administration’s spending on clean energy, and has called climate change “hysteria.” His shifting positions on not only climate but other humane issues akin to vaccinations have been called “weird” and “baffling” by MSNBC.

Electric vehicles: Kennedy has advocated for UAW members who assemble electric cars, but his positions on Biden administration policies that will boost EVs within the U.S. have equated those policies with totalitarianism. 

Democracy: Kennedy, in response to what he believes is censorship of his social media channels, told CNN that he could make the argument that President Biden is an even bigger threat to democracy than Donald Trump. He suggested that he would select NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers as his Vice President, before he ultimately selected Silicon Valley attorney Nicole Shanahan.

Jill Stein

Party: Green

Vice President: Yet to be named

Experience

• Physician and former presidential candidate

Policy and positions

Climate science: Stein believes that prior efforts for a “Green Latest Deal” didn’t go far enough, and warns about “climate collapse.” Shy on specifics, Stein posted on X that what’s needed is “massive investment in green jobs & technologies to revitalize the American economy, improve our lives, protect our planet and safeguard our youngsters’s future.”

Electric vehicles: Stein advocates for a full ban on recent fossil fuel infrastructure, The Washington Post reports, and a universal switch to renewable energy sources by 2030.

Democracy: Stein believes that the system of two political parties has ruined our democracy. “Voters have a right to decide on and to attempt to shove down the throats of voters two zombie candidates from two zombie parties,” she told News Nation, “that actually have been serving the economic elites…is incredibly undemocratic.” Critics suggest that any votes Stein draws within the handful of states where she’s going to appear on the ballot will draw from Biden totals, thus handing the presidency to Trump.

Cornel West

Party: Independent

Vice President: Yet to be named

Experience

• Political activist
• Professor at a clutch of Ivy schools, including Harvard and Princeton
• Theologian and philosopher

Policy and positions

Climate science: West believes that “only through unity, sustainable development, and unwavering commitment to renewable energy can we hope to revive balance and ensure a thriving planet for all.” He proposes climate reparations for communities harmed by global warming.

Electric vehicles: West’s platform advocates a fast and complete end to fossil fuel dependency.

Democracy: West said in 2003 that “democracy means more selections, not backroom deals; it means freedom to vote your conscience without being shamed or bullied.” He has described former president Trump as a “bonafide gangster and neofascist.” NBC News has reported that Republican politicos have been trying to seek out ways to spice up West’s prospects in competitive states where he has gained ballot access.