US EV Market 2026 Begins With Slowdown After Incentive Expiry – Full Sales Breakdown

The US electric vehicle (EV) market entered 2026 on a cautious note following the dramatic shifts in 2025, particularly the expiration of the $7,500 federal tax credit at the end of September 2025. This policy change triggered a massive rush in Q3 2025, followed by a sharp Q4 decline, but overall 2025 EV sales held remarkably steady at around 1.27–1.28 million units (down just ~2% from 2024’s 1.30 million), capturing about 7.8% of total new vehicle sales according to Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive estimates.

As of mid-January 2026 (current date: January 19, 2026), no comprehensive weekly EV sales data for the most recent week (e.g., week ending January 18, 2026) has been publicly released by major trackers like Cox Automotive, Kelley Blue Book, or InsideEVs. Weekly breakdowns are rare in the industry—most reports focus on monthly, quarterly, or annual figures. Early January sales are typically slower due to post-holiday slowdowns, inventory adjustments, and the absence of incentives, with analysts expecting tepid or flat EV demand in the first quarter of 2026 before potential stabilization around an 8% market share for the full year.

Why Weekly Data Is Limited Right Now

• EV sales reporting lags: Sources like Cox Automotive and Kelley Blue Book issue monthly or quarterly insights, often with a delay.
• Early 2026 trends point to challenges: Post-incentive normalization, higher interest rates, and affordability concerns are tempering demand. New affordable models (e.g., 2026 Chevrolet Bolt under $30,000, updated Nissan LEAF) are just entering or ramping up, which could boost numbers later in the year.
• Projections for 2026: Cox Automotive forecasts EV sales to remain fairly flat overall, with gradual growth driven by better charging infrastructure, battery advancements, and consumer-driven choices rather than subsidies.

Company-Wise EV Sales Snapshot (Latest Full-Year 2025 Data)

For context on the market leading into 2026, here’s a breakdown of key players from 2025 (sourced from Kelley Blue Book, Cox Automotive, Electrek, and CleanTechnica reports). Tesla continues to dominate, but GM made strong gains.

• Tesla: ~589,000 units (46.2% market share) — Still the clear leader despite a slight decline from 2024.
• General Motors (GM brands combined): ~169,887 units (up 48% YoY) — Second place, more than double Ford’s volume. Strong performers included Chevy Equinox EV (~58,000 units), Blazer EV, and Cadillac models like Lyriq.
• Ford: ~84,113 units (down 14% YoY) — Key models: Mustang Mach-E (~51,620), F-150 Lightning (~27,307).
• Hyundai/Kia/Genesis: Strong mid-tier players (e.g., IONIQ 5 ~47,000; overall group gains noted).
• Honda: ~39,194 for Prologue alone (up 18.7%).
• Others: Rivian showed momentum in select months; Nissan and some luxury brands saw sharper post-incentive drops in Q4.

What to Expect Moving Forward in 2026

The “next chapter” for US EVs emphasizes affordability and consumer choice:

• New launches like the 2026 Chevy Bolt, Rivian R2, BMW iX3, and updated affordable options from Nissan/Toyota could accelerate adoption.
• Analysts predict ~8% EV share for 2026, with long-term growth as prices fall and infrastructure expands.
• Hybrids are gaining faster in the short term, but pure EVs remain poised for maturation.

For the most up-to-date weekly or monthly figures as they emerge, check sources like Cox Automotive, Kelley Blue Book, or Electrek. The EV transition is ongoing—2026 is shaping up as a year of stabilization and real-market testing without heavy subsidies.

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The US electric vehicle (EV) market kicked off 2026 with a slowdown following the dramatic 2025 shifts, especially after the federal $7,500 EV tax credit expired at the end of September 2025. This led to a massive Q3 rush, a sharp Q4 drop to around 234,000 units (down 46% from Q3 and 36% YoY), but full-year 2025 sales held strong at approximately 1.27–1.28 million units — only about 2% below 2024’s 1.30 million — securing roughly 7.8% market share per Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive data.

As of mid-January 2026, detailed weekly EV sales figures for the most recent week (e.g., week ending January 18, 2026) remain unavailable from major sources like Cox Automotive, Kelley Blue Book, or Electrek. Weekly reporting is uncommon in the auto industry, with most updates focusing on monthly, quarterly, or annual totals. Early January typically sees slower sales due to holiday aftermath, inventory resets, and no incentives — analysts anticipate subdued demand in Q1 2026 before potential stabilization around an 8% full-year EV share.

Challenges and Outlook for US EV Sales in Early 2026

• Post-incentive reality: Without subsidies, affordability concerns, higher interest rates, and consumer caution are cooling demand short-term.
• No major weekly data yet: Trackers like Cox Automotive release broader insights; January 2026 numbers are expected to be flat or down initially.
• 2026 projections: Cox Automotive forecasts near-flat overall EV sales for the year, hovering around 8% market share (some estimates suggest 8.5%). Growth will rely on consumer-driven factors like expanded charging networks, better battery tech, and falling prices rather than policy support.

Latest Company-Wise EV Sales Breakdown (Full-Year 2025 Data)

Here’s the most recent full-year snapshot from reliable sources (Kelley Blue Book, Cox Automotive, Electrek, CleanTechnica):

• Tesla: ~589,000 units (46.2% market share) — Dominant leader despite slight YoY decline; Q4 saw gains in share as rivals struggled without credits.
• General Motors (GM brands): ~169,887 units (up 48% YoY, ~13% share) — Strong second place, more than double Ford’s volume. Standouts: Chevy Equinox EV (~58,000 units), Blazer EV, and Cadillac models like Lyriq.
• Ford: ~84,113 units (down 14% YoY) — Key contributors: Mustang Mach-E (~51,620), F-150 Lightning (~27,307).
• Hyundai/Kia/Genesis: Solid mid-pack performers (e.g., IONIQ 5 ~47,000 units; group showed gains in segments).
• Honda: ~39,194 units for Prologue (up 18.7% in select reporting).
• Others: Rivian gained traction in pockets; Nissan and some luxury brands faced steeper Q4/post-incentive drops (e.g., Nissan down sharply in Q4).

Tesla’s share reportedly climbed higher in late 2025/early 2026 (up to ~59-60% in some post-credit analyses) as legacy automakers scaled back or paused unprofitable EV efforts.

What’s Next for the US EV Market in 2026?

The transition is shifting toward real-market maturity:

• Affordable launches like the 2026 Chevy Bolt (under $30,000), updated Nissan LEAF, Rivian R2, and BMW iX3 could spark renewed interest.
• Hybrids are surging short-term, but pure EVs are set for gradual growth with infrastructure improvements and cost reductions.
• Long-term: Analysts see EV share climbing toward 17%+ by 2030 as economics improve.

For breaking weekly or monthly updates as they drop, monitor Cox Automotive, Kelley Blue Book, or Electrek. The EV story in America is far from over — 2026 is the year of adaptation and consumer choice.

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