The Year EVs Went Nuts: How a Shaky 2025 Could Shape Up for 2026
For those who live and breathe electric vehicles – and we do have some of our own emotional rollercoaster tendencies – 2025 was an excellent year. However, the mixed bag of news, from new models like the Lucid Gravity and refreshed Nissan Leaf to anti-EV vitriol stirring up during a particularly traumatic election cycle, left many feeling frazzled.
In this tumultuous year, we witnessed the intersection of politics and propulsion take a dark turn. The car you drive suddenly became an indicator of your political affiliations, with some civic-minded CEOs mixing their corporate interests with their political pandering. But it was Elon Musk's bromance with President Trump that took things to new heights – or rather, lows.
Musk's hyperactivity on the Trump campaign trail and his anti-government spending rhetoric stirred up Tesla investors' accounts like never before. Between January and March, Tesla's stock price plummeted nearly in half, only to rebound once Musk left DOGE in May. Since then, Tesla's sales have been a rollercoaster ride itself, with deliveries declining by 13 percent in Q1 and profits plunging 37 percent.
However, despite the uncertainty surrounding EVs in America, some manufacturers are forging ahead. Honda has canceled plans for its electric vehicles in the US but will instead focus on hybrid models to stay competitive. Ram has done the same thing, canceling its 1500 EV truck before deciding to release a hybrid version.
On the other hand, Scout Motors is shifting its strategy towards extended-range hybrids, focusing on the onboard generator that's seen an 80 percent increase in pre-orders from customers. The company's initial pitch was purely electric trucks and SUVs, but it seems the market has spoken.
If you're excited about affordable EV options, the 2026 Nissan Leaf should be a great choice, with its production ramping up and starting price under $30,000. Chevrolet will also release a refreshed Bolt EV for similar money. For those willing to spend more, BMW is set to unveil the electric CLA sedan and GLC SUV.
But there's reason to stay optimistic about the future of EVs in Europe. After cutting its incentive program, German EV sales plummeted but have since rebounded with a 50 percent increase in newly registered electric vehicles. Electric cars now make up 19 percent of Germany's market, despite Tesla's struggles.
As for the American market, only time will tell if it follows suit or continues to be impacted by anti-EV messaging. However, one thing is certain – we're still holding out hope that EVs will remain a bright and exciting future on our roads.
For those who live and breathe electric vehicles – and we do have some of our own emotional rollercoaster tendencies – 2025 was an excellent year. However, the mixed bag of news, from new models like the Lucid Gravity and refreshed Nissan Leaf to anti-EV vitriol stirring up during a particularly traumatic election cycle, left many feeling frazzled.
In this tumultuous year, we witnessed the intersection of politics and propulsion take a dark turn. The car you drive suddenly became an indicator of your political affiliations, with some civic-minded CEOs mixing their corporate interests with their political pandering. But it was Elon Musk's bromance with President Trump that took things to new heights – or rather, lows.
Musk's hyperactivity on the Trump campaign trail and his anti-government spending rhetoric stirred up Tesla investors' accounts like never before. Between January and March, Tesla's stock price plummeted nearly in half, only to rebound once Musk left DOGE in May. Since then, Tesla's sales have been a rollercoaster ride itself, with deliveries declining by 13 percent in Q1 and profits plunging 37 percent.
However, despite the uncertainty surrounding EVs in America, some manufacturers are forging ahead. Honda has canceled plans for its electric vehicles in the US but will instead focus on hybrid models to stay competitive. Ram has done the same thing, canceling its 1500 EV truck before deciding to release a hybrid version.
On the other hand, Scout Motors is shifting its strategy towards extended-range hybrids, focusing on the onboard generator that's seen an 80 percent increase in pre-orders from customers. The company's initial pitch was purely electric trucks and SUVs, but it seems the market has spoken.
If you're excited about affordable EV options, the 2026 Nissan Leaf should be a great choice, with its production ramping up and starting price under $30,000. Chevrolet will also release a refreshed Bolt EV for similar money. For those willing to spend more, BMW is set to unveil the electric CLA sedan and GLC SUV.
But there's reason to stay optimistic about the future of EVs in Europe. After cutting its incentive program, German EV sales plummeted but have since rebounded with a 50 percent increase in newly registered electric vehicles. Electric cars now make up 19 percent of Germany's market, despite Tesla's struggles.
As for the American market, only time will tell if it follows suit or continues to be impacted by anti-EV messaging. However, one thing is certain – we're still holding out hope that EVs will remain a bright and exciting future on our roads.