With Millions Still Out of Work, We Need Biden’s American Jobs Plan
Originally published on the NRDC Expert Blog.
By Mitchell Bernard
Today’s unemployment numbers out of Washington affirm what the country’s experiencing on Main Street: a grinding climb from a devastating pandemic that’s taking a continuing toll on the economic security of our people. It’s great news that unemployment is falling. But 9.3 million Americans remain out of work.
President Biden has proposed the right remedy — the American Jobs Plan, a comprehensive package of strategic public investment that weds climate action to equitable recovery and puts people back to work in every community.
This is a bold vision for strong, lasting, and broad-based recovery. It sets the table for a generation of prosperity and progress. It means cleaner, healthier communities, both urban and rural. As the plan makes its way through Congress, it’s time for all of us to rally around it.
The American Jobs Plan is a stirring vote of confidence in the nation’s future. It’s built on the belief that U.S. workers can out-compete anyone in the world when given a fighting chance. That’s what this plan does.
It sets us on the path to 100 percent clean electricity by 2035 — wiping out nearly a third of the dangerous carbon pollution that’s driving the climate crisis — by helping to clean up the nation’s power sector.
It speeds the transition to electric cars and trucks with zero tailpipe emissions, expands sustainable transit options for those who need them most, and reconnects urban neighborhoods divided for decades by misguided highway routes.
It protects our communities from the risks and toxic pollution from more than 3.1 million abandoned oil and gas wells and coal mines, by capping and cleaning up these idled fossil fuel sites as we shift to cleaner, smarter ways to power our future.
And it ends the ongoing and unacceptable exposure to hazardous drinking water in as many as 10 million American homes, by replacing lead pipes and service lines with safe and modern alternatives, while upgrading wastewater, drinking water, and stormwater systems nationwide.
These are essential national priorities. Cleaning up our dirty cars, trucks, and power plants. Capping abandoned wells and mines. Getting the lead out of our drinking water.
Combined with other vital work, such as rebuilding aging bridges, roads, and ports, this investment will create or sustain 15 million jobs over the coming decade, a Georgetown University analysis shows, including 8 million for workers that require only a high school education or less.
These are good-paying jobs for welders, carpenters, truck drivers, electricians, steelworkers, and others, including those who want the collective bargaining opportunities that come from belonging to a union.
The clean energy sector offers multiple advantages: It pays 25 percent more than the average job for some 3 million workers who help to make our homes, cars, and workplaces more efficient; it builds electric and low-emission cars, trucks, and parts; it gets more clean power from the wind and sun; and it modernizes the grid and storage system we depend on for reliable power.
That’s core work in the American Jobs Plan. It’s how we roll up our sleeves and make good on Biden’s pledge to cut the U.S. carbon footprint in half by 2030, so we can stop adding carbon pollution to the atmosphere altogether by 2050.
That’s what the science tells us must happen — at home and abroad — if we’re to avert the worst of a climate crisis that last year alone inflicted more than $95 billion in damage nationwide, while combining with fossil fuel pollution to impose another $820 billion in health-care costs on our people.
Confronting this costly crisis will be the economic play of our lifetime, with clean energy investments set to attract more than $11 trillion in global capital in the space of this generation alone.
The American Jobs Plan will help make the United States a clean energy superpower — and make U.S. companies and workers the winners in the global clean energy sweepstakes.
The plan includes investments to plus-up research and investment in critical new technologies; support innovation to make U.S. factories more efficient; strengthen the domestic supply chain for the next generation of wind, solar, and battery technology; and expand training for workers looking to transition out of fading industries like fossil fuels and into more promising opportunities elsewhere.
Strengthening our economy. Putting our people back to work. Cleaning up toxic pollution that threatens our health. Standing up to the mounting costs and growing dangers of climate change.
These are the pillars of the American Jobs Plan — strategic investment that’s paid for by asking fossil fuel companies, other corporations, and those earning more than $400,000 a year to pay their fair share to support the kind of progress that’s enabled them to thrive. Investing in efficiency, meanwhile, will enable us to do more with less waste in our homes, workplaces and cars, cutting energy costs for our families and businesses.
Small wonder, then, that the plan is supported by nearly two-thirds of the country.
The American Jobs Plan accomplishes one thing more: It addresses what the pandemic has made all the more urgent.
A modern plague that has killed 600,000 people across the United States alone, the coronavirus pandemic has upended the lives of us all. No one is surprised to learn who’s suffered most: primarily the same low-income communities and people of color for whom the pandemic has only worsened long-festering inequities in education and employment opportunities, housing, and health care.
The American Jobs Plan is designed to address those inequities head-on. It’s tailored to deliver 40 percent of the economic, environmental, and health benefits of this strategic climate and clean energy investment to the same historically disadvantaged communities that bear a disproportionate share of the burden of environmental hazard and harm.
The American Jobs Plan is the grand strategy the country needs — and we need it now. The 2022 federal budget Biden proposed last week includes a down payment on this eight-year investment plan, with early investment to jump-start the progress it’s meant to ensure.
Now, it’s our turn to rally around this hopeful vision of a cleaner, healthier, more prosperous future for a nation united behind the climate action that can power a strong, just, and equitable recovery for every family, in every community, across this land.
Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving Supervised’ expansion is back firing as it exposes its shortcomings. Customers left without promised features are growing discontent and demanding to compensated.
It’s turning into a multi-billion-dollar iceberg of Tesla’s own making.
In 2016, Tesla proudly announced that all its vehicles produced onward are equipped with “all the hardware for full self-driving,” which would be delivered through future software updates.
The automaker turned out to be significantly wrong about that.
At the time, it was producing its electric vehicles with a hardware suite known as HW2, which it had to upgrade to HW3 because it couldn’t support self-driving (FSD) capability.
HW3 was produced in vehicles from 2019 to 2023 and Tesla switched to HW4 in 2024.
At first, CEO Elon Musk claimed that FSD software updates on newer HW4 cars would lag roughly 6 months behind updates to HW3 cars to make sure to deliver the promised self-driving capability to those who have been waiting and paid for the promised capabiltiy a long time ago.
That strategy barely lasted a few months. Tesla quickly started releasing new FSD updates to HW4 cars first and it now hasn’t released a significant update to HW3 cars in close to a year.
Tesla only admitted in January 2025 that HW3 won’t be able to support unsupervised self-driving. Musk claimed that Tesla would retrofit the computers, but there has been no word about it for 10 months.
Tesla customers are starting to be fed up.
The catalyst is Tesla’s current FSD expansion in international markets. Previously, Tesla’s FSD was limited to North America, but over the last year, the automaker has been expanding FSD to China and now Australia and New Zealand.
However, the expansion is back-firing as HW3 owners are starting to realize that they will never get what they paid for.
In Australia and NZ, Tesla only launched FSD on HW4 vehicles with no clear plan for HW3, which the automaker already admitted won’t support unsupervised self-driving. The automaker appears to have only adapted its latest version of FSD for HW4 to the Australian market.
To add to the insult, with the launch of FSD in Australia, Tesla started to offer FSD subcriptions for $149 AUD a month for both HW3 and HW3 cars despite the software not being available for HW3.
HW3 owners reached out to Electrek after seeing this in their app:
It’s unclear why would Tesla sell a subcription to something that doesn’t even exist, but it is not helping build confidence with customers.
To try to appease owners, Tesla started sending emails to Australia HW3 owners offering $5,000 discounts on new inventory vehicles when transfering their FSD package:
However, this offer is misleading in itself, as it is not actually specific to HW3 owners as the email leads people to believe.
A visit on Tesla’s Australia inventory website shows that Tesla is offering a $5,000 disounct on all inventory vehicles with FSD for any buyer:
Therefore, it has nothing to do with “loyalty”.
As we recently reported, thousands of Tesla owners have now joined a class action lawsuit in Australia over Tesla misleading customers with its self-driving promises.
It adds to similar ongoing lawsuits in the US and China.
With hundreds of thousands of FSD customers who paid up to $15,000 for package, Tesla is on the hook for billions of dollars in compensations or retrofits in the best-case scenario.
Electrek’s Take
We are seeing more people losing patience and it is only going to get worse.
There were a lot of interesting interactions on this post, which is pretty mild in my opinion. And yet, you see the usual Elon lemmings downplaying Tesla not delivering features it promised:
I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but we need to be realistic here. If you are a HW3 owner and still think that Tesla is going to retrofit your up to 10-years-old car with a computer that is going to make self-driving, you are being delusional.
Tesla will have to end up compensating owners and at this point, I have serious doubts that it will do it by itself without being forced through courts.
Furthermore, it shouldn’t be just people who bought FSD. Tesla said that all cars had the hardware capable of self-driving whether people bought the software package or not. If that’s not true, it affects the resale value of the vehicle regardless of if someone purchased the package.
I have a fairly simple solution for Tesla to make it right.
Tesla needs to offer all HW3 owners a $5,000 loyalty discount, that goes on top of all other incentive program, when upgrading to a new car.
As for HW3 owners who bought FSD, which basically turned out to be an interest free loan to Tesla for years, the automaker needs to offer free FSD transfer and a $10,000 discount on a car upgrade.
While this might sound like a lot, I think it’s in line with the incredible liability that Tesla is facing from all the on going lawsuits.
On top of it, it will go a long way to regain the trust of long-time customers, which Tesla swindled by selling them features it simply can’t deliver.
The main reason why I think Tesla doesn’t want to do that is that it will likely have to do the same thing to HW4 owners in the next few years and that would be the death of the company.
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![From $189 a month: 5 of the best EV lease deals in October [Updated]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/11/Ford-Saudi-Arabia-Mach-E-side.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
EV lease prices look better than expected, despite the end of the federal tax credit and the 25% import tariff being in place. Prices have crept up compared to last month, but several automakers have covered the $7,500 credit themselves or added extra incentives, and the price of one EV even dropped. Here are October’s top EV lease deals, spotted by our friends at CarsDirect.
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 lease from $189/month
The updated 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range remains one of the standout EV lease deals this month, holding steady even after the end of the federal EV tax credit and new import tariffs. Through November 3, you can lease one for $189 a month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year) with $3,999 due at signing. That works out to an effective monthly cost of about $300 – just $40 more than September.
The price bump is far smaller than many expected, especially with Hyundai’s $17,000 in lease cash factored in. And if you’re tempted by an upgrade, the SEL RWD trim is just $50 more per month under the same terms. You’ll get a model that’s roughly $7,000 more in value and $18,750 in savings.
The IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range offers an EPA-estimated 245 miles of range, and this particular offer is available in the Los Angeles and greater California metro areas.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Hyundai IONIQ 5 in stock. –trusted affiliate link
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6 lease from $189/month
The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6 SE RWD Standard Range is tied with its sibling for the most affordable EV lease deal this month, offering standout value even after the federal EV tax credit ended. In the California metro area, you can lease it for $189 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year) with $3,999 due at signing, and Hyundai is sweetening the deal with $13,250 in lease cash.
That brings the effective monthly cost to around $300, which is only $20 more than last month when the tax credit was still active. With an EPA-estimated 240 miles of range, 149 horsepower, fast-charging capabilities, and a sleek, distinctive design, the IONIQ 6 remains a fan favorite. This offer is valid through November 3.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Hyundai IONIQ 6 in stock. –trusted affiliate link
2025 Kia Niro lease from $209/month
The 2025 Kia Niro Wind EV returns to our top 5 this month with an impressive regional lease deal. You can lease the Niro Wind EV for $209 per month for 24 months (10,000 miles per year) with $3,999 due at signing. The offer includes $11,800 in lease cash and $14,940 in total savings, bringing the effective monthly cost to about $376. That’s about $80 more per month than September’s tax credit-incentivized deal at $129, but it’s still a solid offer given the policy changes.
This deal is available to California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington residents through November 3.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Kia Niro in stock. –trusted affiliate link
2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E from $219/month
The 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select RWD with Package 100A is offering bigger savings this month, making it an even stronger pick for EV shoppers. Known for its premium design and an EPA-estimated 300 miles of range, the Mach-E remains a favorite among drivers who want style and substance.
You can now lease it for $219 per month for 24 months (10,500 miles per year) with $4,499 due at signing. That’s $20 less per month than September’s advertised deal, though the term is shorter. With an effective monthly cost of about $406, it’s only $45 more than last month, a smaller jump than many expected.
The offer includes $6,750 in lease cash for qualified lessees, plus a free Ford Charging Station Pro with complimentary home installation – a rare perk. If you already have a home charger, you can choose an extra $2,000 in bonus cash instead.
This deal is currently available in California through January 5, 2026. Ford is offering discounted leases on EVs through December.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Ford Mustang Mach-E in stock. –trusted affiliate link
2025 Chevrolet Equinox from $269/month
Through November 3, you can lease the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV 2LT for $269 per month for 24 months (10,000 miles per year) with just $679 due at signing – one of the lowest upfront costs we’ve seen lately. That works out to an effective monthly cost of around $297. It’s got a quirk, though – this deal excludes Black Cloth Seats.
This is one of the rare EVs to see a price drop in the post-tax-credit era. Compared to September’s offer of $309 a month with $2,609 due at signing, this Chevy Equinox lease is $121 cheaper in effective monthly cost.
The deal is available nationwide for current Chevrolet lessees or those switching from another brand, and it includes a $2,250 loyalty or conquest bonus on top of $1,750 in lease cash. Want to drive away with the newest model? You can upgrade for just $30 more per month.
With an EPA-estimated 319 miles of range, the 2025 Equinox EV 2LT offers solid value for drivers looking to get into Chevy’s newest electric SUV.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Chevrolet Equinox in stock. –trusted affiliate link
Other post-tax credit lease price changes
BMW has held steady with its EV lease prices. CarsDirect pointed out that the 2025 BMW i4 is now cheaper to lease than a 2026 Tesla Model 3 despite the former having an MSRP that’s $20,000 higher than the latter.
The 2024 Acura ZDX used to be one of the best EV lease deals around, but Acura discontinued lease offers on the EV more than a month ago. That’s likely because the company is dropping the model for the foreseeable future and it’s pretty much sold out.
Tesla’s most affordable EV, the 2026 Tesla Model 3 sedan, is up to 36% more expensive to lease than before. The new entry-level Standard Model 3 and Model Y trims can’t be leased.
VW leases lost up to $12,000 in discounts after the federal tax credits were killed off. CarsDirect found that 2025 VW ID.4 lease prices went from an effective cost of a little over $230 a month to an eye-watering $800 a month.
Read more: From $0 a month: 5 of the best EV lease deals in September
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The Recon EV will be revealed in full soon. Jeep’s CEO shut down rumors that the Wrangler-sized electric off-roader was dead, saying the Recon EV will go on sale shortly.
Jeep’s electric off-roader will go on sale in Spring 2026
Although the Recon was initially set to debut in 2023 with sales starting the following year, don’t count it out just yet.
Bob Broderdorf, who took over the reins as Jeep’s new CEO in February, says rumors that the electric off-roader has been cancelled are far from true.
In fact, Jeep plans to sell it, even if you don’t want it. According to MotorTrend, Broderdorf is promising more details on the Recon EV are coming soon with sales kicking off next spring.
With Stellantis shaking up electrification plans, speculation began to spread that the Jeep Recon EV would be next to get the axe. Luckily, it doesn’t look like that will be the case.
Jeep first unveiled the Recon EV as a concept in 2022, promising the electric off-roader would be not only be able to tackle the Rubicon trail with enough charge to get back to town and recharge. It’s not a replacement, but the Recon is “inspired by the legendary Wrangler,” according to Jeep.
The Recon will be Jeep’s first true off-road EV. Leading up to its official debut, we’ve seen the electric off-roader out in the wild a few times now.
Spy shots of the interior surfaced on JeepReconForum last year, confirming the SUV will feature Jeep’s signature Selec-Terrain traction control system with different modes like “Rock” and “Mud.” The closer it gets to its final form, the more the Recon looks like a Ford Bronco rather than the Wrangler.
Even if it doesn’t sell well, Jeep considers the all-electric Recon as a key model as it looks to corner the off-road market.
Stellantis will build the Recon at its Toluca, Mexico plant alongside the Wagoneer S, Jeep’s first electric SUV in North America. The Jeep Cherokee and Compass are also built at the facility, all of which share the same STLA Large platform.
“We can shift and move. It is OK if [Recon] is low volume,” Broderdorf said, adding “If I have to sell more Cherokees, so be it.”
Although Jeep has yet to reveal final specs and prices, the Recon EV is expected to debut with about 350 miles of range. Prices are expected to start at around $60,000, or slightly less than the Wagoneer S. More premium trims, like the MOAB and Rubicon could cost closer to $80,000.
Broderdorf promised more details are coming soon. He also said the company plans to reveal more info on the future Wrangler shortly. Will we see an electric Wrangler? If so, it likely won’t be until the next generation in 2028.
Until then, Jeep will use the Recon EV and Wrangler as a twin threat as it looks to gain control of the off-road market.
While the Recon will arrive soon, Stellantis cancelled Ram’s first fully electric pickup and trimmed the Dodge Charger EV to just one variant.
Jeep’s CEO sees a market for electric vehicles, in particular the Recon. “We’ve got a great car. We’ve already built it. We should sell it, we should learn. I don’t know how many it will be. I’m not really that worried about it,” Broderdorf said. Even with the $7,500 federal tax credit now expired, Jeep expects EVs to sell in markets like California.
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