U.S. EV sales are showing signs of life

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Cox Automotive says EVs reached 6.1% of the U.S. market in Q3, their third straight quarter of growth.

After a rough year, U.S. electric-vehicle sales are picking back up. TechCrunch reports that, according to Cox Automotive, EV sales have grown for three straight quarters since they dropped following the end of federal tax credits last year.

EVs took 6.1% of the U.S. market in the third quarter, their best showing since the third quarter of 2025. Cox's Stephanie Valdez Streaty said the market is "finding its footing again," pointing to more competitive EV prices and renewed interest driven by high gas prices.

Toyota, Rivian and Subaru led the gains. TechCrunch says sales of the Toyota bZ and Lexus RZ roughly doubled after a refresh that brought Tesla-style charging ports, bigger batteries, stronger motors and faster charging. Tesla's sales fell 20% year over year, but it still sold more than half of all EVs in the quarter.

It's a recovery, not a boom. Reuters, citing Motor Intelligence, reports U.S. EV sales are still down 30.7% this year through September and make up about 6% of sales, compared with 8.5% a year earlier, when buyers rushed to beat the expiring $7,500 credit. Reuters says many buyers are choosing hybrids and used EVs instead.

TechCrunch notes a similar pattern in Germany, where EV sales fell by more than half after incentives ended in late 2023 and then steadily recovered, with August 2026 the second-best month on record there.

For shoppers, the takeaway is that the EV market is stabilizing, and refreshed models with better range and charging are drawing buyers even without federal incentives.

Sources: TechCrunch, Reuters via Lee Enterprises