By Oscar Collins
The hype for EVs was through the roof a few years ago. Now, it seems the country is moving past the trend — at least, that’s what the headlines say. So, what’s the deal? Let’s look at the data to get a better gauge.
No, people aren’t selling their EVs to get gas-powered cars back — at least, not on a widespread level. EV registrations grew by 20% in 2025, though growth has slowed down.
Q4 in 2025 saw declining sales rates, thanks to the end of subsidies. However, the entire calendar year was the second-best all-time for EVs. Dealerships sold over 1.2 million EVs, easily eclipsing 2022 and 2021’s records.
Slowing growth rates ≠ the world ending for EVs.
Factors working against EVs
Part of the problem lies with self-inflicted wounds. For instance, the U.S. government ended EV subsidies in October 2025, making these cars more expensive. Now, consumers have fewer incentives to go get a battery-electric vehicle.
Then, there are tangential problems. The U.S. government is also slowing support for charging infrastructure. It even stopped chargers at federal buildings.
Why I’m still optimistic
Despite the bad news, there’s still plenty of hope. EVs will continue to grow thanks to economics. Batteries and other essential parts will become cheaper while improving range. Over time, more consumers will come around to their enhanced performance, whether faster acceleration or quieter driving.