by State of the US electric vehicle market
New data on electric vehicle sales in the US for the first half of 2025 proved disappointing for many manufacturers. The total sales volume increased by only 1.5% compared to the same period last year, with a 6.3% decline observed in the second quarter.
According to Cox Automotive, “some brands, such as Kia, Mercedes, and Rivian, have experienced a significant drop in demand for their models”.
The biggest losses were seen by Kia (a 54% sales drop), Mercedes (55%), and Rivian (30%). Significantly fewer Audi Q4 e-tron (39%), Genesis G80 Electrified (45%), and BMW i5 (30%) were also sold. In contrast, some new models, such as the Tesla Model 3, showed a 38% growth, which helped offset the decline of other lineups.
Sales dynamics by brand
Although the overall US electric vehicle market remains stable, individual manufacturers are facing serious difficulties. For example, Tesla, despite an 11% sales decline, still holds 46% of the market. GM shows positive dynamics thanks to the success of its models on the Ultium platform, and Porsche increased sales by 251%.
The biggest changes occurred in the premium electric vehicle segment. The Mercedes EQE and EQS lost 75% and 80% of sales respectively, while the Cadillac Lyriq and Escalade EV showed good results. This indicates a shift in buyer priorities towards more affordable or versatile models.
Given the expected reduction in government incentives for electric vehicles in the coming months, manufacturers will have to find new ways to attract customers. Some companies have already announced updates to popular models, while others are betting on new products, hoping to replicate the success of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Chevrolet Equinox EV.
