Biden test-drives electric truck during stop in Michigan

President Biden on Tuesday test-drove a Ford electric pickup truck as part of a visit to the company’s plant in Dearborn, Mich., during which he touted electric vehicles as the “future of the auto industry.”

Biden took the Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup, a vehicle the company plans to officially unveil this week, for a spin during his visit to the plant.  

“This sucker’s quick,” the president told the White House pool reporter.

President Biden test drives Ford’s new electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck pic.twitter.com/A3jrsIi5mR

— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) May 18, 2021

When asked if the reporter could ask a question about Israel, Biden replied, “No, you can’t. Not unless you get in front of the car as I step on it. I’m only teasing.”

Press secretary Jen Psaki tweeted a picture of Biden behind the wheel, writing, “Just a quick stop during a test drive of the Ford F-150 lightning.”

Just a quick stop during a test drive of the Ford F-150 lightning pic.twitter.com/uPBFDSX6k4

— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) May 18, 2021

During his speech at the plant, Biden sought to make the case for his proposed $174 billion investment in electric vehicles, framing the issue as part of a competition with China.

“The rest of the world is moving fast. They’re moving ahead. They’re not waiting for the United States of America,” Biden said during his remarks. “We have a playbook that’ll work. We’re going to set a new pace for electric vehicles.”