Why It Matters

Ford faces a very bumpy road ahead. The federal EV tax credit that underpinned its electrification strategy expired on September 30, 2025, while Chinese export controls on critical battery materials threaten supply chains and regulatory uncertainty about emissions standards jeopardizes billions in EV investments.

The company’s third quarter lobbying push targets preservation of remaining manufacturing tax credits, tariff relief for North American suppliers, and favorable implementation of connected vehicle security rules. Ford’s success in Washington will partly determine whether its costly EV investments pay off or become stranded assets.

By the Numbers

Ford Motor Co. spent $727,346 on federal lobbying in Q3 2025, deploying a five-person in-house team focused on electric vehicle incentives, autonomous vehicle regulations, critical minerals supply chains, and trade policy.

Since 2003, Ford has spent more than $140 million on federal advocacy through over 650 disclosures. The company regularly engages external lobbying firms like Capitol Tax Partners LLP, Alpine Group Partners LLC, and Marshall & Popp LLC for specialized expertise.

Ford’s lobbying apparatus reflects strategic bipartisan access. Jessica Lynn Carter brings 23 years of House Republican experience, while Deanne Brigette Millison provides Democratic connectivity through senior roles with Vice President Kamala Harris and Financial Services Chair Maxine Waters.

The Agenda

Ford Motor Co. is lobbying on electric vehicle tax credits, emissions standards, critical mineral supply chains, autonomous vehicle safety regulations, and data privacy protections. The company is also engaged on trade policy, including tariffs and USMCA implementation.

Key legislative priorities include:

  • EV Incentives: Protecting manufacturing and consumer purchase tax credits
  • Emissions and CAFE Standards: Managing EPA rollbacks while ensuring compliance certainty
  • Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: Shaping safety standards and cybersecurity requirements
  • Supply Chain Security: Securing critical minerals access and reducing Chinese dependence
  • Trade and Tariffs: Managing USMCA compliance and North American assembly impacts

Broader Context

Congress is actively reshaping automotive policy amid a fundamental shift in federal electrification support. The Inflation Reduction Act’s consumer EV tax credit expired September 30, 2025, eliminating the $7,500 incentive central to Ford’s EV strategy. The EPA has proposed rolling back vehicle emissions standards, creating regulatory uncertainty.

China announced major export controls on lithium-ion battery materials in October 2025, threatening Ford’s battery supply chains. The Trump administration applied 25% tariffs on non-U.S.-content vehicle portions, directly impacting North American manufacturing.

Connected vehicle regulation is advancing rapidly. The Commerce Department finalized rules prohibiting Chinese and Russian automotive hardware and software, while bipartisan right-to-repair legislation threatens Ford’s data access and service revenue models.

Between The Lines

Congressional divisions over emissions policy create uncertainty for Ford’s agenda. Republicans have introduced bills to roll back EPA emissions standards, while Democrats are pushing back with letters urging EPA to maintain strong pollution standards.

Multiple active bills align with Ford’s priorities: The Transportation Freedom Act seeks to repeal current emissions standards, while the Connected Vehicle National Security Review Act would empower Commerce Department review of connected vehicle technology.

Recent hearings signal congressional focus on Ford’s concerns, including House Energy and Commerce Committee hearings on securing domestic critical minerals sources and NHTSA oversight and motor vehicle safety.

Competitive Landscape

General Motors mirrors Ford’s lobbying priorities, focusing on EV incentives, greenhouse gas regulations, and USMCA implementation as both legacy automakers balance internal combustion and electric vehicle production.

Tesla’s strategy diverges sharply. As a pure-play EV manufacturer, Tesla emphasizes accelerated electrification policies, NEVI charging infrastructure funding, and aggressive CAFE standards favoring electric vehicles. All three companies align on domestic battery material sourcing and supply chain protection but diverge on emissions regulations, where Tesla benefits from aggressive mandates while Ford and GM seek regulatory flexibility.

The Bottom Line

Ford’s Q3 2025 lobbying reflects a company navigating converging policy headwinds: expired EV tax credits, potential EPA rollbacks, Chinese export controls, and tariff uncertainty. With significant EV division losses, Ford’s Washington strategy bets that federal intervention on manufacturing incentives, supply chain security, and regulatory clarity remains essential to its long-term viability in an electrifying industry.