--- title: "Federal Support for US Electric Vehicle Manufacturers Uncertain After Democrats' Midterm Election Wins" url: https://noti.group/federal-support-for-us-electric-vehicle-manufacturers-uncertain-after/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Business" published: 2026-11-15T13:00:02.000Z updated: 2026-11-15T20:42:24.370Z id: 0f08bf09-ca59-4ce5-8402-92c0b5b47eb9 source: "CNBC https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/15/rivian-lucid-scout-arent-counting-on-dems-to-restore-ev-incentives.html" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/federal-support-for-us-electric-vehicle-manufacturers-uncertain-after/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Federal Support for US Electric Vehicle Manufacturers Uncertain After Democrats' Midterm Election Wins US electric vehicle manufacturers are bracing themselves for a shift in federal support after the Democrats' midterm election wins, with CEOs remaining cautious about relying on government aid. US electric vehicle manufacturers are bracing themselves for a shift in federal support after the Democrats' midterm election wins. Despite this change in power dynamics, CEOs of several key players remain cautious about relying on government aid. CEOs from Rivian Automotive, Lucid Group, and EV startup Scout Motors expressed their sentiments during interviews with CNBC, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding federal support. They emphasized that their companies have been built to thrive without relying on legislative backing or incentives. We've constructed Scout to be in an environment where we're not counting on legislation, said Scott Keogh, CEO of Scout Motors, who has extensive experience in the automotive industry. His comment underscores the companies' approach to navigating Washington's changing landscape. Legacy automakers and EV startups alike have struggled with inconsistent support from Washington. The Trump administration rescinded or rolled back initiatives supported by the Biden administration, including a customer incentive for purchasing an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle industry is bracing for a potentially tough road ahead despite the Democratic Party's midterm election victories. Several key players in the sector, including Rivian, are taking a cautious approach to predicting future government support for their businesses. According to Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, his company isn't counting on Democrats to restore federal incentives that were rolled back or rescinded by the previous administration. "We try not to plan for those sort of things," Scaringe said in an interview after the election results were announced. The reality is likely to be more complicated than anticipated, with less impact from government policies than expected. Lucid Motors, another major EV manufacturer, is also adopting a wait-and-see attitude towards future government support. Lucid CEO Silvio Napoli recently told CNBC that his company's approach is to "plan for the worst and hope for the best." The Democratic Party's focus on healthcare and data center issues over climate change and alternative energy may further reduce expectations of significant government support for the EV industry in the near term. The affordability of electric vehicles (EVs) remains a pressing issue that could hinder their widespread adoption in the US market. According to Rachel McCleery, executive director of the Coalition for Reimagined Mobility at SAFE, this concern extends beyond just purchasing prices. McCleery pointed out that legislative debates are likely to arise over how to proceed with EV and EV supply chain incentives, which would be a crucial aspect of Democratic policymakers' agenda aimed at reducing vehicle costs for American consumers. Electric vehicles present a critical solution to multiple challenges facing the transportation sector. Scout's CEO, Keogh, expressed his preference for any potential government support to focus on EV production rather than other areas. He believes this approach could have a ripple effect on vehicle pricing and help companies navigate current cost inflation challenges. The sales of electric vehicles (EVs) surged last year as buyers rushed to take advantage of government incentives before they expired in September 2025. However, this momentum has since been lost, and EV sales have declined from their peak. According to Cox Automotive, the average price of a new electric vehicle reached $54,800 in September, significantly higher than the overall industry average of just over $51,100 last month. This trend highlights the need for sustainable pricing strategies that don't rely on short-term incentives, as noted by Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Cox director of industry insight: "Ultimately, incentives can help accelerate adoption, but the industry can't build its long-term strategy around them." The goal is to make EVs affordable and attractive enough to appeal to a broader customer base with or without government support. --- Source: [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/15/rivian-lucid-scout-arent-counting-on-dems-to-restore-ev-incentives.html) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/federal-support-for-us-electric-vehicle-manufacturers-uncertain-after/