American EV Jobs Alliance: Newsom EV plan a win for EV adoption and American auto jobs

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 3, 2026 — The American EV Jobs Alliance today welcomed Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed $200 million electric vehicle incentive program as a practical, pro-consumer investment that will accelerate EV adoption, strengthen American auto manufacturing, and help U.S. companies compete in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Statement from Mike Murphy, CEO of the American EV Jobs Alliance:

“Governor Newsom’s smart and practical plan is a real win for American EV jobs, cleaner air, and American automotive manufacturing competitiveness as we face the new reality of China writing a blank check to totally dominate the world’s auto industry.

As America’s clear leader in electric vehicles, California is vital to America’s EV manufacturing future. Ford, Lucid, Honda, Rivian, GM, Hyundai, Tesla, Kia, Toyota, and many other automotive manufacturers and suppliers have important design, engineering, and manufacturing facilities here. Governor Newsom’s plan helps new EV drivers switch to cleaner, more efficient e-powertrains that offer better performance, clean emissions, and the happy consumer experience of never needing to use a gas pump again.

Governor Newsom understands the stakes for American autoworkers are very high: if auto manufacturers do not get the support they need to successfully compete in EVs, the future of more than a million good-paying U.S. jobs is at risk. Newsom’s plan is a frugal yet high-impact strategy to help America compete in EVs.”

Market research shows that more than 80 percent of first-time drivers who buy or lease an electric vehicle become permanent EV drivers. Governor Newsom’s plan is designed to help incentivize drivers to switch to electric, creating more long-term EV drivers and helping spur American competitiveness in EVs: the sector every industry expert calls the clear future of the global automotive marketplace.

Why this plan works:

• Good for taxpayers: Targeted incentives reach first-time EV buyers and invest public dollars far more efficiently than other subsidy programs.
• Good for manufacturing jobs: Billions have been invested in U.S. EV-related manufacturing jobs. This credit will help support that investment and give U.S. auto manufacturing the scale it needs to compete worldwide.
• Good for national security: U.S. auto manufacturing is a key part of our core industrial base. In a future where China already has more than three times our capacity to manufacture vehicles, it is vital that U.S. automotive manufacturing continues to thrive and successfully compete, not shrink and decline.

In a world of massive Chinese government subsidies to fund a strategy of dominating world auto markets and de-industrializing their geopolitical rivals, it is important that both states and the federal government also invest in temporary subsidies to help North American EV manufacturing thrive. With the federal government stepping back from supporting U.S. EV manufacturing, Governor Newsom is stepping up to help our manufacturers grow and thrive. 

The American EV Jobs Alliance looks forward to working with state leaders to ensure the program remains simple, fast, and focused on affordability for first-time EV buyers.

About the American EV Jobs Alliance

The American EV Jobs Alliance is a nonpartisan advocacy organization focused on strengthening American EV manufacturing by domestic companies and U.S. allies. EVs for All America is a separate, affiliated nonprofit that conducts independent research and education to identify and address barriers slowing EV adoption. Read EVs for All America’s latest report, Fixing America’s Partisan Divide Over EVs: Tracking Three Years of Slow Progress.