Politicians Said EVs Were Too Expensive – So… What About War (And the Cost of Gas?)

From Transport Evolved.

For years, politicians — mostly on the conservative side of the political spectrum — have railed against EVs, calling them everything from "handouts for the rich" to outright scams. Under President Donald Trump, Republican lawmakers successfully repealed the majority of policies encouraging Americans to switch to electric vehicles, along with investments in renewable energy and improved air quality. Too expensive, they said. Too much of a burden on the taxpayer.

And yet.

The U.S. is now waging an as-yet-unsanctioned war in Iran alongside Israel — one that has already cost taxpayers billions of dollars, sent fuel prices surging 50% at the pump, and pushed inflation to its highest point in years. Meanwhile, the fossil fuel industry is posting record profits on the back of the very conflict causing that pain.

So today, we’re asking the uncomfortable questions: just how much will this war cost? How does that compare to the cancelled incentives and programs that would have helped — not hindered — lifespans, air quality, and energy security? And who, exactly, is benefiting from all of this?

We have receipts. And some cold, hard facts. And we are not here to condone anyone’s actions — just to follow the money.

Show notes, links and script at: https://www.transportevolved.com/2026/05/18/politicians-said-evs-were-too-expensive-so-what-about-war/

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⏱️ Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction
01:47 Now Classified
04:51 What This Video Is About
08:04 Some History Into EV Incentives
09:41 After President Bush — Into President Obama
09:55 Trump the First Time Around Raged… But Did Little About It
10:19 President Biden
13:10 $190 Billion Is Large — But Some Context Is Required
14:15 A Reminder About Nikki’s Recent Agrivoltaics Video!
14:25 Investments Are Stabilizing
15:32 Where We Were Expected to Be Prior to 2024
17:56 Health Benefits
19:20 Energy Independence
22:40 A Rough Tally Thus Far…
23:49 Support the Channel!
24:26 We’re Halfway Through — So Let’s Get to the War in Iran
25:35 We Do Not Condone Either Side’s Actions
26:39 President Trump Made Things Worse in His First Term
28:21 Rough Figures — But Nothing Concrete
29:16 A Massive Budget Request
30:55 "Scholarly Estimates"
32:01 Global Effects
32:42 There Are Other Factors Too
34:20 You’re Probably Exhausted
35:23 And That’s Before We Even Discuss the Fossil Fuel Industry…
37:53 Just Imagine Where We Might Otherwise Have Been?
39:23 There Are Better Ways of Dealing With Iran
40:07 Get Involved
40:51 Thanks, and Goodbye!