Rhode Island has previously set objectives to stop sales of gas-fueled cars by 2035 and shared goals to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. But with the Trump administration’s recent swath of tariffs, these goals may now be under threat.
Several environmental experts told The Herald that the tariffs will raise the costs of electric vehicles, leading to decreased demand and impacting the state’s emission goals.
Transportation makes up 36.6% of the Ocean State’s greenhouse gas emissions, making a transition to electric vehicles critical, according to Tina Munter, the R.I. policy advocate for the Green Energy Consumers Alliance.
On April 9, the Trump administration announced a pause on some reciprocal tariffs but excluding Chinese imports, which have been hit by multiple levies. Chinese electric vehicles may face a minimum 247.5% tax, while imported lithium-ion batteries — which are used in most electric vehicles and primarily manufactured in China — could face a 173% tariff.
There are a variety of planned and ongoing 25% tariffs on vehicles, car parts, steel and aluminum imports.
Approximately 39% of electric vehicles sold in the U.S. are imported, Reuters recently reported.
Professor of Environment and Society, Environmental Studies and Sociology Timmons Roberts believes that these tariffs will “highly” inflate the cost of electric vehicles imported from Europe and Asia, he said in an interview with The Herald.
Munter agreed that these tariffs may negatively impact demand for electric vehicles, but argues that other economic policies — like the “potential loss of incentives (and) rebates” — pose a greater harm.
State programs, like the Driving Rhode Island to Vehicle Electrification program, offer an up to $1,500 rebate for certain new and used EVs, as well as plug-in hybrids.
The DRIVE program has awarded over 2,400 rebates so far and “helped make electric vehicles more accessible and affordable while supporting local dealerships,” Robert Beadle, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, wrote in an email to The Herald. He added that the program has also helped reduce transportation-related emissions.
The department has not yet received updates or discussed the potential impacts of tariffs on EVs, Beadle said.
But, funding remains an issue for the state’s vehicle electrification goals, Beadle wrote, adding that the department is currently awaiting further guidance on funding that has been paused for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula program. As of last year, the program provided R.I. with a combined $28.5 million in federal and state funding to build publicly accessible electric charging stations, according to a press release.
“Rhode Island recognizes the critical role electric vehicles play in advancing a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system,” Beadle wrote. “R.I. has made consistent efforts to support (electric vehicle) adoption through initiatives like the DRIVE program, fleet transitions and public charging infrastructure.”
Munter highlighted that adopting electric vehicles would particularly benefit people living near highways and industrial areas, such as residents in R.I.’s urban core — which includes Providence and other nearby municipalities. These communities are disproportionately exposed to air pollution, which can result in negative health effects, she said.
In order to meet climate goals and improve public health, Roberts believes that New England communities should stop using internal combustion engines. He added that Trump’s tariffs will have negative impacts beyond transportation, affecting other sectors like wind and solar technologies.
“This decade is crucial for avoiding the worst levels of warming that will occur if we don't stop burning fossil fuels,” Roberts said.
