Trump administration proposes billions in cuts to automakers and startup grants

The U.S. Department of Energy, under the Trump administration, has proposed deep cuts to federal grants supporting General Motors, Ford, and early-stage tech startups. The reductions could slow electric vehicle development and hamper funding for clean mobility innovation. Automakers and entrepreneurs warn that scaling back R&D support risks slowing EV adoption, weakening U.S. competitiveness in sustainable transportation technologies, and undermining the broader innovation ecosystem critical for advanced manufacturing and climate-focused initiatives.