President Donald Trump has touted his tariff regime as a way to bring back domestic manufacturing jobs—but experts say it’s not that simple.

One of the premises behind 25% duties on all vehicle imports is that they’ll prompt automakers to invest in US manufacturing, and therefore create new jobs in an industry that has suffered steep job losses over the last few decades.

But a number of factors stand in the way of this vision. Not only would it take years and billions of dollars to build new auto plants in the US, but the industry already struggles to attract the skilled labor it requires—and in recent years has turned to automation to meet its needs.

“Ostensibly, the automotive tariffs are designed to reshore manufacturing, and this, in theory, would lead to more jobs,” Mika Takahashi, a technology analyst at IDTechEx, told Tech Brew via email. “However, the situation is more complicated than that for several reasons.”

Keep reading here.—JG

For those looking to spend less time stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, electric bicycles have emerged as a compelling car alternative.

Averaging around $2,000, however, the price tag of battery-powered bikes can be a barrier to entry. French startup Upway is trying to make the emissions-free micromobility option more accessible via its platform for certified preowned e-bikes.

“What that means is, concretely speaking, as a consumer you get access to top brands,” Toussaint Wattinne, Upway’s co-founder and CEO, told Tech Brew. “You save over $1,000 on average compared to retail price, and you enjoy a doorstep delivery and a bike that comes with a warranty because it’s been certified by our mechanics, brought back up to the highest quality standards.”

Keep reading here.—JG

The National Venture Capital Association has joined the fight to save the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits.

In a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee, the NVCA expressed its support for green tech tax credits now that they’re on the chopping block. Similar to a letter to Congress from green tech business leaders, the NVCA letter emphasized the importance of reliable tax policy for economic development—especially when it comes to startups, which traditionally begin with no or low taxable income.

“Scaling breakthrough energy technologies requires sustained, reliable policy support,” the letter said. “The IRA credits provide the kind of certainty needed to attract long-term investment in American energy innovation, creating jobs, economic growth, and enhancing American energy security.”

To that point, the letter also spotlighted specific IRA tax credits that aid clean tech startups in getting off the ground: provisions allowing for tax credit transferability, which helps early-stage companies fund their initial work; a provision allowing small-scale carbon capture companies to get credits; an investment tax credit that incentivizes supporting domestic clean tech companies; and the investment tax credit for standalone energy storage.

Keep reading here.—TC

What does a smarter transportation future look like—and how do we build it? Join Tech Brew virtually on May 29 to find out. This is your final week to save 20% on a livestream pass for Power Shift, our half-day event on EVs, grid tech, and the road ahead. Use code POWERUP at checkout. Don’t wait!

From the launch of Mac OS X (2000) to the rise of AI-driven SaaS and self-driving cars, the past 25 years have defined how we live, work, and connect. Tech Brew’s Quarter Century Project explores the pivotal moments that shaped today’s digital world—and asks what’s next for the industry.