EXCLUSIVE: Many big-rig truckers are backing former President Trump this cycle, amid concerns about how a Harris administration would affect the crucial automotive industryadmitted an executive from a transportation company.

He presidential election With just five days left, Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have laid out different futures for the auto industry during their election campaign.

Mike Kucharski, co-owner and vice president of JKC Trucking, Chicago’s largest specialty contract carrier, said there are five reasons truckers are more in favor of a Trump presidency this cycle: costs, increased regulatory burdens, infrastructure and truck driving autonomy. and lower charging capacity due to the battery.

“I personally don’t vote along party lines, but I support candidates with policies. And I would say policies are the gateway to the trucker vote: policies that help small businesses thrive,” Kucharski said in an exclusive interview with FoxNewsDigital. “Right now, many small business owners in the trucking industry are seriously concerned about the impact Kamala Harris will have on our industry if she takes office.”

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Many truckers support former President Trump this cycle because he offers an energy-independent future, according to JKC Trucking co-owner Mike Kucharski. (Chris Kleponis)

The main problem, according to Kucharski, is costs.

“Truckers are already struggling to stay afloat because of issues like skyrocketing diesel costs. It’s raining too much on diesel. Truckers are driving fewer miles and paying more for fuel,” he said. “Another blow to truckers is increased regulatory burdens. Truckers are overregulated.”

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Kucharski added that truckers support electric trucks, but the industry is not prepared for mandates like those being pushed under the Biden-Harris administration.

Harris’ campaign told Fox News Digital that she does not support electric vehicle mandates. However, the Biden-Harris Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a final rule in March to require up to two-thirds of all new car sales to be electric by 2032. The agency also set a goal require 40% of heavy trucks to be zero emissions by 2032.

He The EPA previously projected The standards could lead to 50% of vocational trucks, 35% of short-haul tractors and 25% of long-haul tractors produced in 2032 being electric.

“Small trucking companies just can’t absorb these extreme costs. And people say larger companies could. But I think they’re going to have a problem. It’s a great idea, but I don’t think it’s going to work.” work,” Kucharski said of the final rule.

Kucharski said truckers support electric trucks, but the industry is not prepared for mandates like those being pushed under the Biden-Harris administration. (Mandel Ngan)

Many truckers support Trump this cycle because he offers an energy-independent future, Kucharski said.

“Trump has a little bit of a different perspective,” he added. “Donald Trump, during COVID, brought truckers to the White House and thanked them for being essential workers.”

“Truckers are really hoping that he will roll back some of these regulations, because we are over-regulating the trucking business,” he said. “Truckers are very excited because when Trump was talking about the economic plan, he mentioned tariffs. And Trump is saying he wants to bring more business and more manufacturing to the United States, which would be fantastic.”

Jeremy Kirkpatrick, a spokesman for the American Teamsters Associations (ATA), told Fox that they will work with whichever candidate is elected and will be advocates for the industry.

“The American Trucking Association works with any official who is willing to work with us. Regardless of the outcome, ATA will remain at the table and continue to advocate for common sense pro-trucking policies that strengthen the supply chain, grow economy and provide for the American people,” he said.

Trailer trucks are seen at the entrance to the Port of Baltimore in Baltimore on October 8. (Nathan Howard)

Brian Pannebecker, founder of Auto Workers for Trump 2024, recently told Fox that he believes many Rust Belt autoworkers, a traditional cornerstone of the blue electoral base, will vote Republican this cycle.

“Democrats have been sending our jobs to Mexico and China for over 40 years, so this process just came to a head with Donald Trump, and he speaks our language. He knows what we want to hear, he’s going to protect our industry before it completely disappears, and we’re going to vote for him in large numbers. I’m saying 65% to 70% of UAW members are pulling the lever for Donald J. Trump,” Pannebecker said. FOX Business’ “The Bottom Line.”

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Harris was endorsed by the United Auto Workers union in July, which said “our job in this election is to defeat Donald Trump and elect Kamala Harris to build on her proven record of delivering results for the working class.”

FOX Business’ Taylor Penley contributed to this report.