Fewer people will be able to afford electric cars and trucks if President-elect Donald J. Trump and Republicans in Congress eliminate a $7,500 federal tax credit.

Manufacturers argue that demand for electric cars has not been as high as was expected when the rules were drawn up. As a result, to avoid fines, they say they are having to discount new vehicles heavily, or subsidise rivals that build electric cars only, none of whom have a manufacturing base in the UK.

Britain said on Wednesday it would rethink the rules that force carmakers to produce more electric vehicles after the industry warned that the current plan would lead to factory closures and job losses,