Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, speaking at the CNBC CEO Summit in Washington, D.C., said the discussion around the growth of electric vehicles has become a political issue.
"The world is moving fast and our OEMs are being more nimble and embracing this. ... We don't take off the menu of what we can offer, but until we build up the infrastructure, we know there's going to be fits and starts, but it's moving in the right direction," she said., matching a decline in interest from consumers. Political pressure from either side in the next term could alter that. "Everything is politicized in this moment.
"I think it's important that we teach people to ask questions to try to take in as much information, whether sitting across the table from someone with very different politics or a very different set of experiences," she said. She voiced support for an energy policy that has not been popular on the left in recent history, but has received renewed attention nationally. "We're going to meet our energy goals and our climate goals and nuclear is an important part of the equation. Do you think the public is ready to talk about nuclear again. I wasn't sure what to expect but in the community we've seen great support," she said.